IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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IL25  lU  11.6 


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Sdfflices 
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M  VVMT  MAM  tTMIT 
\imMTN,N.Y.  14110 

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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/iCIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


CaoMlton  Institut*  for  Historical  Microroproductions  /  Inttitut  canodion  do  microroproductions  liiotoriquoo 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notos  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographicaily  unique, 
which  mey  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


D 


D 


D 


D 


n 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I     I   Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagAe 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurte  et/ou  pellicula 


I      I   Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I   Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gtographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  blackl/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


□   Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

□    Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli4  avec  d'autres  documents 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrie  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  aJoutAes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  Atait  possible,  ees  pages  n'ont 
pas  4t«  filmAes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplAmentaires: 


L'Institut  e  microfilmA  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lul  a  At*  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibllographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mAthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquAs  ci-dessous. 


r~-\   Coloured  pages/ 


D 


TM«  item  Is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  cheeked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  rMuetton  indlqu*  el-detsout. 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaurtes  et/ou  pelliculAes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxei 
Pages  dAcolor*es.  tachetAes  ou  piquies 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d*tach*es 

Showthrough> 
Transparence 

Quality  of  itrit 

Qualit*  iitigaie  de  i'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  matAriel  suppMmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  idition  disponible 


I — I  Pages  damaged/ 

I      I  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

Fy]  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 

I     I  Pages  detached/ 

F7|  Showthrough/ 

r~~|  Quality  of  itrint  varies/ 

n~1  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

r~|  Only  edition  available/ 


Thi 
tot 


Th« 
poi 
ofl 
filn 


Ori 

bei 

the 

slot 

oth 

firs 

sioi 

ori 


The 
she 
TIN 
whi 

Mai 
diffi 
enti 
beg 
righ 
reqi 
met 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata.  une  pelure, 
etc..  ont  M  filmAes  i  nouveau  de  fapon  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


10X 

14X 

lix 

22X 

KX 

30X 

>/ 

1 

12X 


ItX 


aox 


MX 


2iX 


32X 


lire 

details 
lies  du 
:  modifier 
ger  une 

filmage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Univtnity  of  SaiiMtGhswsn 
Sailcatooii 

The  images  appearing  here  ere  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  filmA  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
gAnArositA  de: 

Univsraity  of  Satkatchowan 
Saskatoon 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  AtA  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet*  de  rexemplaire  fiimt,  et  en 
conformity  avec  lea  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  Impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  Impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  Impression. 


^es 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimte  sont  fllmte  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernMre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  fllmis  on  commen9ant  par  la 
premlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  -^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  ▼  (meaning  "END '), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  dee  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernMre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


re 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  Included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  end  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  Illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc..  peuvent  Atre 
film^s  i  dee  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  itre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  11  est  film*  i  partir 
de  Tangle  sup4rleur  gauche,  de  gauche  i  drolte. 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'Images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


i  erreta 
d  to 

\\ 

le  pelure, 

pon  h 


1 

2 

3 

nx 


12  3 

4  5  6 


«  • 


B 


BY1 


PR 


;iii 


1 


i 


rf 


*     •     LIBRARY  EDITION. 

•  CAMPAIGN  AGAINST  QUEBEC: 

V 

.  *      AN  ACCURATE  AND  INTfRESTINg_ACCOUNT 

,  OF  TH 

« 

HARDSHIPS  AN 

.  OF  TIfifi" 


BAND  OF  HBEOE  S 


BT  THE  kOUTE  OF  THE  KENNEBEC,  AND  CHAUDIERE  BIVER, 
TO  QUETSC,  IN  Ttffe  TEAR  1775. 


Bt  JOHN  JOSEPH  HENRT,  Esq. 

Lato  Pmldeiit  of  the  Second  Judicial  DUtrtet  in  Pennsylvuila. 


REVISED  EDITION,  WITH  CORRECTIONS  AND  ALTERATIONS. 

WATERTOWN,  N.  Y. 
PRINTED  AND  PUBLISHED  BY  KNOWLTON  li  RICE.     ^ 


1844 


^111967 


331000' 


-A> 


4    .  0 


#' 


Entered  weording  to  Act  of  Conffren  in  the  year  1844,  by 
KlrowLTon  k  Rich,  in  the  OflSce  of  t^  Glerjic  of  the 
Diatrict  Court  of  the  Northern  District  ofNe^-Toik. 


m^ii 


-Wrr 


*-^. 


.• 


ic         Advertisement  to  the  First  Editiotu 
'^j  :'  TO  THE  I^UBUC. 


*rHIS  work  is  given  to  the  world,  as  left  by  Judjire  Hen- 
ry. Had  be  lived  to  superintend  the  printing  of  it  him- 
self, many  alterations  would,  no  doubt,  have  been  made  ; 
many  passages  which  may  at  present  appear  obscure,  would 
have  been  fully  explained,  and  many  differences  of  style 
corrected.  As  the  work  purports  to  be  written  by  Judge 
Henry,  it  was  thought  improper  to  make  any  alterations 
or  additions,  trusting  that  the  world,  when  acqyainted  with 
the  circumstances  under, which  it  was  published,  would  be 
disposed  to  pardon  trivial  errors.  As  to  the  truth  of  the 
principal  facts,  the  following  letter  from  General  Michael 
Simpson  to  Judge  Henry,  is  ample  testimony  : 

Pbar  Sir, 

I  have  read  your  manuscript  **  of  the  Expedition  through  the 
Wllderneai,  in  1775.**  Su  far  as  I  was  concerned,  in  the  transac- 
tions related  in  the  worlc,  they  are  truly  stated.  That  expedition, 
perhaps  the  most  arduous  durin||[  the  revolutionary  war,  is  trulj 
represented.  The  public  may,  in  the  general,  be  assured  that 'the 
account  is  genuine. 

Your  humble  servant, 

MICHAEL  SIMPSON. 
To  J.  J.  Hbrrt,  Esq. 


^' 


Advertisement  to  the  Second  Edition* 

THE  PUBLISHERS 

Of  this  **Reviied  Edition,  vnth  corrections,^^  deem  it  prop- 
er to  state  that  the  alterations  or  corrections  extend  no  fur- 
ther than  to  render  what  was  in  a  degree  obscure,  more 
plain.  In  many  instances  the  style  is  also  thought  to  be 
improved  ;  yet  care  has  been  taken  to  follow  as  nearly  at 
pouible  the  author's  phraseology,  that  the  ezciteaent  of 


.^-^^ 


TO  9BB  »VBLIO. 


the  narration  may  be  preserved.  The  len^hy  Notes  of 
the  original  edition  have  been  mainly  omitted,  as  they 
relate  to  subjects  mostly  local,  and  of  but  little  import  to 
the  general  reader,  or  that  are  v^ell  understood  at  the  pres- 
ent day  from  other  sources. 

It  is  a  fact  no  more  to  be  regretted  than  true,  that  care 
enough  has  not  been  taken  to  preserve  incidents  of  thbse 
days  which  '*  tried  men^s  souls ;"  and  it  is  principally  to 
snatch  from  oblivion  a  feat  of  the  Revolutionary  times,  but 
sli^htljT  touched  upon  by  historians,  that  the  present  Nar- 
rative is  re- published. 

The  actors,  or  their  immediate  successors,  have  little 
idea  of  the  momentous  interest  which  future  generations 
will  attach  to  every  deed  that  tended  to  free  us  as  a  peo- 
pie  from  foreign  domination,  and  to  the  establishment  of  a 
government  whose  theory  is  in  a  measure  new,  and  need- 
ing every  patriotic  incitement  to  preserve  unimpaired  in 
practice. 

In  this  particular,  the  example  of  our  fathers  may  be 
more  useful  than  the  precepts  of  cotemporaries.  The  read- 
er can  form  his  own  estimate  when  he  shall  have  read  the 
following  interesting  pages. 

Furthermore,  it  is  an  important  truth,  that  although  now, 
1844,  seventy  years  have  passed  away  since  the  "  Cam- 
paign against  Quebec*'  took  place,  and  that  the  line  of 
march  was  through  what  has  been  denominated  the  '*  Dis- 
puted Territory,"  the  account  given  in  this  narrative  of 
the  face  of  the  country,  its  natural  productions,  &c.  is  su- 
perior to  any  yet  before  the  public.  This  alone  contributes 
in  no  small  measure  to  the  usefulness  of  the  work. 


«"*' it'iii'iiip 


J    V 


Notes  of 

as  they 

mport  to 

the  pres- 

hat  care 
of  thbse 
pally  to 
noes,  but 
nt  Nar- 

ve  little 
eratioDs 
I  a  peo« 
int  of  a 
i  need-  - 
ired  in 

naj  be 
e  read- 
ad  the 

mow, 
Gam- 
ine of 
Dis- 
ye  of 
is  su- 
butes 


LIFE  OF  THE  AUTHOR, 


«t4  'i 


BT  HIS  DAUOHTBm. 


IT  is  an  observation,  trite,  true,  and  universally  admit- 
ted, that  the  lives  of  those  who  have  not  embraced  a 
wide  sphere  of  action,  are  uninteresting  and  perfectly 
devoid  of  any  incitements  to  attention.  On  the  contra- 
ry, the  biography  of  warriors  and  statesmen  is  perused 
with  avidity — ^not  merely  on  account  of  the  incidents  of 
their  own  history,  but  of  diose  of  the  times  in  which 
they  lived.  In  descending  to  the  humbler  walks  of 
life,  when  we  trace  the  history  of  a  good  and  unforto- 
nate  man  throush  all  the  varied  evolutions  that  pecu- 
liarly mark  his  fate,  and  which  prevent  him  from  being 
enrolled  in  the  list  of  those  beings  who  have  found  their 
path  divested  of  thorns,  it  is  to  some,  still  interesting ; 
and  althoudi  the  incidents  may  not  be  of  a  nat  <  v*  to 
excite  wonder  or  astonishment,  they  may  still  po^>.  ess 
the  power  to  call  forth  thesympathy  of  minds  that  have 
been  taught  to  feel  for  others'  woes. 

John  Joseph  Henry,  the  author  of  the  following 
pages,  was  bom  November  4th,  1758,  at  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania.  His  father  was  William  Henry,  Esq. 
a  man  whose  memory  is  still  revered  by  those  who  pos- 
sessed any  knowledge  of  him.  His  strict  honesty  and 
knovni  probi^,  render  it  sacred  to  such  as  claimed  him 
as  their  fnend.  He  was  possessed  of  a  strong  mechan- 
ical genhis.* 

*H0  Wis  the  iDTentor  of  the  weU4Eiiown  lerew  tuser. 


▼itt 


ttra  or 


Warmly  attached  to  this  his  favorite  pursuit,  be  wish- 
ed to  iustU  into  the  minds  of  his  chiloren  a  taste  for 
mechanics.  With  some  of  them  he  succeeded.  As 
soon  as  his  son  John  Joseph  had  attained  the  age  of 
14,  he  bound  him  an  apprentice  to  ian  uncle,  who  was 
a  gunsmith,  then  a  resident  of  Lancaster,  but  after 
some  time  removed  to  Detroit,  taking  his  nephew  with 
him.  At  that  place  his  stay  was  but  short,  on  account 
of  scarcity  of  business.  He  returned  on  foot  with  a 
single  guide,  who  died  in  the  wilderness  which  lay  be- 
tween Detroit  and  his  home.  It  was  here  that  those 
hardships  and  misfortunes  first  were  felt,  which  were 
his  future  companions  during  a  length  of  years  devoted 
to  God  and  his  country.  lu)un?  Henry  returned  to 
his  parents  and  home,  dissatisfied  with  the  employment 
a  judicious  father  had  pointed  out  for  him,  as  the  means 
by  which  he  wished  him  to  gain  a  future  subsistence. 
His  arduous  mind  panted  Giber  military  glory ;  the 
troubles  of  his  country,  fomenting  and  producing  vig- 
orous, and  ultimately  successful  struggles  for  a  total  e- 
mancipation  from  slavery,  wrought  strongly  upon  one, 
the  acme  of  whose  hopes  and  wishes  was,  to  be  one 
of  those  who  contended  most  for  freedom.  In  the  fall 
of  1775  he  clandestinely  joined  a  regiment  of  men  rais- 
ed in  Lancaster  county,  for  the  purpose  of  joining  Ar- 
nold, who  at  that  time  was  stationed  at  Boston.  His 
father  was  commissary  to  the  troops,  which  office  obli- 
ged him  to  attend  them  to  Readmg.  It  was  at  this 
time,  under  circumstances  which  rendered  him  most 
liable  to  detection  from  his  parent,  he  left  his  home  to 
wander  at  the  age  of  16,  in  a  strange  land.  Thus  a 
thirst  for  glory  inflamed  his  youthful  breast,  and  super- 
seded every  other  passion  and  affection  of  his  heart. 
After  enduring  all  the  fatisues  of  a  veteran  soldier,  the 
army  entered  Canada  on  his  birth-day — an  eventful  one 
to  him.  He  endured  hardships  there  w:hich  in  his  own 
simple  style,  he  fully  enumerates.  It  was  in  prison, 
where  he  lay  for  nine  months,  that  he  contracted  a  dia- 


ease,| 
appej 
home 


.J,.,. 


ijiir.Wi.ilWMiiilMiiaKii    _ 

I     ^1    111    wihiMl      I        MM     ■>  I 


hewish- 
^aste  for 
ed.    As 
3  age  of 
^ho  was 
ut  after 
Bw  with 
account 
with  a 
lay  be- 
t  those 
h  were 
levoted 
ned  to 
jyinent 
means 
stence. 
r;  the 
»g  vig- 
9tal  e- 
n  one, 
e  one 
lefall 
nrais- 
gAr- 

His 

obli. 

this 
most 
le  to 
us  a 
iper- 
eart. 
,the 
one 
own 
ion, 
difl- 


THB  AVTHOm.  » 

ease,  (the  scurvy,)  which  at  that  time  did  not  make  its 
appearance — but  six  weeks  afterwards,  on  his  return 
home,  at  a  time  when  least  expected,  it  made  its  ap- 
pearance under  its  most  malignant  form.  It  was  at  a 
time  when  it  became  a  duty  incumbent  on  him  to  con- 
tinue in  the  army.  A  captaincy  had  been  procured  for 
him  in  the  Virginia  line,  and  a  lieutenancy  in  that  of 
Pennsylvania.  He  had  designed  to  accept  of  the  com- 
mand under  the  hero  Morgan,  which  was  that  of  cap- 
tain ;  but  the  disposer  of  aH  events  arrested  his  career, 
and  instead  of  his  fond  expectations  bein^  accomplish- 
ed, all  his  hopes  were  blasted,  and  his  hic^h  prospects 
rendered  a  dreary  void,  by  the  order  of  that  Omnipo- 
tence who  furnished  him  with  that  fortitude  which  en- 
abled him,  through  all  his  misery,  to  kiss  the  rod  that 
chastised  him.  It  was  after  two  years'  continuance  on 
the  couch  of  sickness,  that  his  lee,  which  was  the  un- 
foxtunate  cause  of  all  his  illness,  began  to  heal,  and  re- 
novated health,  to  give  hopes  that  peace  yet  remained 
for  him. 

As  his  lameness  precluded  all  possibility  of  his  again 
entering  the  army ;  (^  he  had,  by  a  disregard  of  pa- 
rental authority,  at  least  so  far  as  concerned  his  trade, 
forfeited  his  claim  to  his  father's  exertions  to  place  him 
in  such  a  situation  as  would  make  him  capable  o£  ren- 
dering himself  useful  to  society,  a  vigorous  effort  on  his 
part  was  necessary.  Resolution  was  not  wanting. 
xJe  bound  himself  as  an  apprentice  to  John  Hubley, 
Esq.  prothonotary  of  the  county  of  Lancaster,  as  a 
clexk:  m  the  office,  where  for  four  years  he  pursued  his 
business  with  the  closest  application,  and  discharged  the 
duties  of  his  office  with  unabated  care  and  strictness ; 
and  when  the  labors  of  the  day  were  over,  his  nights 
were  consumed  in  study,  endeavoring  to  compensate 
himself  in  some  measure  for  the  neglect  that  his  edu- 
cation had  suffered  by  his  becoming  a  soldier.  His 
frame,  still  somewhat  debilitated  by  his  illness,  Was  not 
capable  of  sustaining  the  fatigues  of  office ;  his  healdi 


11 


;! 


tiirx  or 


suffered  much  from  labor  so  seVelre,  tmd  applicatipn  so 
intense.  The  time  of  his  indentures  having  expired* 
he  commenced  the ,  study  of  the  law  ui^er  Stephen 
Chambers,  !Bsq.  Here  he  became  acquainted  with  his 
future  companion  in  life,  the  youngest  jester  of  Mr.  G  4 
He  practised  law  from  the  year  1785«  until  December, 
1793<  As  his  legal  knowledge  w:as  knowp.to  be  exten- 
sive, his  abilities  and  talents  met  their  due  reward,  ill 
an  appointment,  by  his  excellency  Thomas  M^ifflin;  gov<' 
emor,  to  the  office  of  president  of  the  i^cond  judicial 
district  of  Pennsylvania.  m-mI  h « r. 

A  number  of  years  had  now  elapsed,  and  his  family 
was  large.  By  an  unfortunate- removfil  to  a  country, 
at  that  period  sickly,  he  was  attacked  by  th^  gout^ 
Which,  rrom  inexperience,  and  bwiiig  to  his  having  no 
knowledge  as  to  the  consec^uenicies  that  would ;ne^eS8a-> 
rily  enSue  ,  did  not  takb  proper  inrecautions,  so  as  to 
render  it  a  regular  disease.  Under  that  deceptive 
name,  numerous  disorders  invaded  his  i^^ame,  and  aft 
times  with  so  much  severity,  that  he  was  compelled  to 
pontinUe  at  home,  and  thuis  preveuted  from  IBx^Cuting 
his  oifi^cial  duties  &s  a  judg0.  It  was  during  seven  long 
years  of  bodily  suffering,  that  his  minid.anid  memory  re^ 
verted  to  those  scenes,  (ipore  forcibly  than  ever,)  which 
formed  so  eventful  a  period  iu  a  life  of  misfortune  and 
vicissitude.  The  interesting  narrative  of  thesuffermgs 
of  that  band  of  heroes,  of  which  he  was  the  youngest, 
is  a  simple  tale  of  truth,  wln^hhe  undeviatingly  through*- 
out  his  book  adheres  to..  •>  -fi  . 
.  He  is  supported  in  all  his  assertions  by  the  teistimo- 
ny  of  a  numoer  of  his  companions  in  ihat  arduous  cam- 
paign; men  of  character  and  respectability.  :  Hisrela-^ 
(ion  of  incidents,  his  descriptive  accounts  of  ,thc|  coun- 
ti!y  they  parsed  through,  the  situation  ;of  Quebec,  and 
the  disposition  of  the  army,  all  mark  him  to  have  becoi 
a  youth  of  accurate  observation,  and  of  a. comprehen- 
sive and  intelligent  mind*  Possessing,  as  he  must  ^e-» 
pessarily  have  done,  activity  of  spirit  and  ctmtempt  of 


years  i 
and  a 


TBS  AVTROB. 


Xl 


fatiffue,  he  gained  the  approbation  and  esteem  of  his 
seniors.  The  buoyant  spirit  of  youth  rose  high  over 
misfortune  ;  under  the  pressure  of  the  severest  distress, 
vivacity  was  still  retained,  and  burst  forth  at  intervals 
to  cheer  his  hopeless  companions. 

Disease  had  now  made  rapid  progress  on  a  constitu- 
tion weakened  by  repeated  attacks,  and  accumulation 
of  disorders,  which  no  skill  could  counteract  or  reme- 
dy. The  non-peformance  of  his  duties  caused  petitions 
from  the  several  counties  to  be  presented  to  the  legis- 
lature,  for  his  removal;  nothing  was  alleged  against 
him  but  absence.  That  honorable  house,  having  exam- 
ined and  considered  the  charges,  acquitted  him  with  hon- 
or. His  commission  he  retained  for  the  space  of  two 
years  afterwards-— but  illness  and  del^lity  increasing, 
and  a  knowledge  that  his  infirmities  were  incurable, 
compelled  him  to  resign  that  office  which  he  had  held 
with  integrity  for  seventeen  years.  Four  months  af- 
terwards, his  worn  out  frame  was  destined  to  feel  the 
stroke  of  death,  and  his  freed  soul,  to  seek  refuge  in 
the  bosom  of  his  Father  and  his  God. 


CAMPAIGN  AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


m 


MT  DEAH  CHILDRElf  : 


THERE  is  an  event  in  the  history  of  the  American 
Revolution  hitherto  little  noticed  ;  as  yet  imperfectly 
described,  and  now  at  this  late  day  almost  forgotten ; 
which  would  deserve  and  require  the  talents  and 
genius  of  a  Xenophon,  to  do  real  justice.  As  your 
fether  in  eaily  life  had  a  concern  in  that  adventure, 
permit  him  to  relate  to  you  In  the  words  of  truth,  a 
compendious  detail  of  the  sufferings  of  a  small  band 
of  heroes,  unused,  to  be  sure,  to  military  tactics  and 
due  subordination,  but  whose  souls  were  fired  by  an 
enthusiastic  love  of  country,  and  with  a  spirit  such 
as  often  inspired  our  ancestors,  when  determined  to 
be  free.  In  giving  you  this  relation,  knowing  him 
as  you  do,  you  will  scarcely  call  in  question  his  ve- 
racity ;  particularly  when  he  assures  you  upon  the 
honor  of  a  gentleman  and  an  honest  man,  that  ev- 
ery word  here  related,  to  the  best  of  his  recollection 
and  belief,  is  literally  true.  He  could  not  be  so  un- 
just to  your  morals,  your  veracity,  or  integrity,  as  to 
state  anything  to  you  which  he  knew,  or  even  sus- 
pected to  be  untrue.  He  has  himself  been  too  much 
the  victim  of  calumny,  not  to  endeavor  to  eradicate 
■0  vile  a  principle  from  your  minds.  His  own  edu- 
cation, gained  m  waywardness,  in  avoidance  of  the 
bounteous  and  liberal  desicns  of  his  good  father,  waa 
ma  incomct  one,  yet  the  ^y  and  real  religkNii  ftr* 


n 


14 


CAMPAIGN 


vor  of  his  parents,  never  would  tolerate  a  lie.  This 
mental  vice,  to  them,  was  the  greatest  of  all  abomi- 
nations, as  it  is  with  your  father :  it  is  also  his  most 
fervent  hope  and  prayer,  that  every  one  of  you  will 
not  only  contemn  untruth,  but  hold  in  sovereign  de- 
testation the  utterer  of  falsehood. 

Persons  at  your  age,  and  at  this  advanced  stage  of 
the  improvement  and  amelioration  of  our  soil,  in  a 
climate  so  far  south  as  ours,  of  Pennsylvania,  can 
scarcely  form  a  correct  conception,  but  from  actual 
observation,,  of  the  sterility,  the  dreariness  and  (he 
destitution  of  every  comibrt  of  life,  which  a  wilder- 
ness in  a  high  northern  latitude  exhibits.  A  confi- 
dence however  in  your  good  sense,  encourages,  and 
in  fact  animates  him,  to  put  that  upon  paper,  which 
has  a  thousand  times,  in  detached  parcels,  been  the 
subject  of  amusing  prattle  around  the  fireside. 
;  In  the  autumn  of  1775,  our  adorable  Washing- 
ton thought  it  prudehl  to  make  a  descent  upon  Can- 
ada. A  detachment  from  the  American  grand  army, 
then  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  was  organized,  to  ful- 
fil this  intention,  by  the  route  of  the  Kennebec,  and 
Ghaudiere  river.  It  was  intended  as  a  co-operation 
with  the  army  of  General  Montgomery,  which  had 
entered  the  same  province,  by  the  way  of  Ghamplain 
and  Montreal.  Colonel  Benedict  Arnold  was  ap- 
pointed the  commander-in-cblef  of  tlie  whole  divis- 
ion. The  detachment  consisted  of  eleven  hundred 
men.  Enos  was  second  in  command.  Of  this  I 
knew  nothing,  except  from  report.  Riflemen  com- 
f^osed  a  part  of  the  armament.  These  companies, 
from  sixty-five  to  seventy-five  strong,  were  from  the 
southward ;  that  is,  Captain  Daniel  Morgan's  com- 
piuriv  from  Virginia;  that  of  Captain  William  Hen«> 
drucKit  from  Cumberland  county  in  Pennsylvania; 
«iid  jQajpljBuii' iftKaitihew  Smith's  company  from  ili« 


DOS 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


1« 


This 

abomi- 
is  most 
^011  will 
sign  de- 
stage  of 
il,  in  a 
ia,  can 

actual 
md  (he 

wilder- 
1  confi- 
68,  and 

which 
;en  the 

SHING- 

3n  Can- 
d  army, 
I,  to  ful- 
ec,  and 
leration 
ch  had 
impiain 
vas  ap- 
e  divis- 
lundred 
f  this  I 
n  com- 
ipanj«8, 
oiu  the 
i*8  com- 
n  Hen» 
Ivania ; 
om  tli« 


county  of  Lancaster,  in  the  latter  province.  The 
residue,  and  bulk  of  this  corps,  consisted  of  troops 
from  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  and  Connecticut* 
It  has  flown  from  my  memory  whether  we  had  any 
from  New-Hampshire  •  but  there  is  an  impression  on 
my  mind  that  we  had ;  as  General  Dearborn,  who 
w^as  of  the  latter  province,  commanded  a  company 
in  the  expedition.  All  these  men  were  of  as  rude 
and  hardy  a  race  as  ourselves,  and  as  unused  to  the 
discipline  of  a  camp,  and  as  fearless  as  we  were.  It 
fell  to  me  to  know  many  of  them  afterwards  inti-: 
mately ;  speaking  generally,  without  any  allusion  to 
particulars,  they  were  an  excellent  body  of  men| 
formed  by  nature  as  the  stamina  of  an  army,  fitted 
for  the  tough  and  tight  defence  of  the  liberties  of 
their  country.  The  principal  distinction  between  us, 
was  in  our  dialects,  our  arms,  and  our  dress.  Each 
man  of  the  three  companies  bore  a  rifle-barreled  gun, 
a  tomahawk,  or  small  axe,  and  a  long  knife,  usual- 
ly called  a  *  scalping  knife,'  which  served  for  all  pur- 
poses, in  the  woods.  His  under-dress,  by  no  means 
in  a  military  style,  was  covered  by  a  deep  ash-color* 
ed  hunting-shirt,  leggins,  and  moccasins,  if  the  latter 
could  be  procured.  It  was  the  silly  fashion  of  thosQ 
times  for  riflemen  to  ape  the  manners  of  savages. 

Our  commander,  Arnold,  was  of  a  remarkable 
character.  He  was  brave,  even  to  temerity,  was  be^ 
loved  by  the  soldiery,  perhaps  for  that  quality  only  ; 
he  possessed  great  powers  of  persuasion, and  was  com- 
plaisant, but  withal  sordidly  avaricious.  Arnold  was 
a  short,  handsome  man,  of  a  florid  complexion,  stout* 
ly  made,  and  forty  years  old  at  least. 

On  the  other  hand  Morgan  was  a  large,  strong 
bodied  personage,  whose  appearance  gave  the  idea 
history  has  left  us  of  Belisarius.  His  manners  were 
of  the  severest  cast;  but  where  he  became  attfiched 


T^-K 


m 


W 


CAMPAIGN 


he  was  kind  and  truly  aflfectionate.  This  is  said 
from  experience  of  the  most  sensitive  and  pleasing 
nature.  Activity,  spirit,  and  courage  in  a  soldier, 
procured  his  good  will  and  esteem. 

Hendricks  was  tall,  of  a  mild  and  beautiful  coun- 
tenance. His  Eioul  was  animated  by  a  genuine  spark 
of  heroism.  Smith  was  a  good  looking  man,  had 
the  air  of  a  soldier,  was  illiterate,  and  outrageously 
talkative.  The  officers  of  the  eastern  troops  were 
many  of  them  men  of  sterling  worth.  Col.  Christo- 
pher Green  seemed  too  far  advanced  in  life  for  such 
hard  service,  yet  he  was  inspired  by  an  ardor  becom- 
ing a  yduth.  He  afterwards  did  the  public  good  ser- 
vice at  Redbank  on  the  Delaware,  in  the  autumn  of 
1777.  Maiors  Meigs,  Febiger  and  Bigelow,  were 
excellent  characters.  As  we  acted  in  the  advance, 
the  latter  gentlemen  were  not  well  known  to  us  un- 
til sometime  afterwards.  Your  father  was  too  young 
to  enjoy  any  other  honor  than  that  of  exposing  him- 
self m  the  character  of  a  cadet,  to  every  danger. 

This  liule  army,  in  high  spirits,  marched  from  Pros- 
pect hill,  near  Cambridge  in  Massachusetts,  on  the 
11th  of  September,  1776,  and  arrived  at  Newbury- 
port,  (which  is  formed  by  the  waters  of  the  Merri- 
mac  river,)  on  the  following  day.  This  place  at  that 
time  was  a  small,  but  commercial  town,  near  the 
eastern  border  of  Massachusetts.  Here  we  remain- 
ed encamped  five  days,  providing  ourselves  with  such 
articles  of  real  necessity  as  our  small  means  afford- 
ed. .  On  the  adernoon  of  the  sixth  day  we  embark- 
ed on  board  of  ten  transports ;  sailed  in  the  evening, 
and  at  dawn  of  day  descried  the  mouth  of  the  Ken- 
nebec river.  The  wind  was  strong  but  fair.  The 
distance  of  this  run  was  160  miles.  We  ascended 
the  river  to  Colonel  Coburn's  ship-yard ;  here  we  left 
our  veaMls  aud  obtained  batleaux,  with  which  we 


zssss 


I  is  said 

pleasing 

soldier, 

il  coun- 
le  spark 
kn,   had 
igeously 
ps  were 
Christo- 
or  such 
becom- 
:ood8er- 
umn  of 
Vf  were 
dvance, 
>  us  un- 
> young 
ng  him- 
ger. 
mPros- 
on  the 
wbury- 
Merri- 
at  that 
sar  the 
emain- 
Ih  such 
aflbrd- 
iibark- 
rening, 
sKen- 
The 
ceodod 
iveleft 
ch  we 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


It 


proceeded  to  Fort  Western.  At  this  place,  on  the  day 
of  our  arrival,  an  arrangement  was  made  by  the 
commander-in-chief,  which  in  all  probability  sealed 
the  destiny  of  your  parent.  It  was  concluded  to  des- 
patch an  officer  and  seven  men  in  advance,  for  the 
purpose  of  ascertaining  and  marking  the  paths  that 
were  used  by  the  [ndians  at  the  numerous  carrying 
places  in  the  wilderness,  towards  (he  heads  of  the  riv- 
er ;  and  also  to  ascertain  the  course  of  the  river 
Chaudiere,  which  runs  from  the  height  of  land,  to- 
wards Quebec. 

To  give  some  degree  of  certainty  of  success  to  so 
hazardous  an  enterprise,  Arnold  found  it  necessary  to 
select  an  officer  of  activity  and  courage;  the  choice 
fell  upon  Archibald  Steele  of  Smith's  company,  a  man 
of  an  active,  courageous,  sprightly  and  hardy  dispo- 
sition, who  was  complimented  with  the  privilege  of 
naming  his  companions.  These  consisted  of  Jesse 
Whwler.  George  Merchant,  and  James  Clifton,  of 
Morgaii'8  ;  and  Robert  Cunningham,  ^j|hpnni^^}ft|^^  ^T 
John  Tidd,  and  John  M'Konkey,  of  Smith's  compa- 
ny. Though  a  very  youth," yet  in  a  snriall  degree 
accustomed  to  hardships,  derived  from  long  marches 
in  the  American  woods,  Steele's  course  of  selection 
next  fell  upon  your  father,  who  was  his  messmate 
and  friend.  Two  birch-bark  canoes  were  provided ; 
and  two  guides,  celebrated  for  the  management  of 
such  water  ciaft,  who  knew  the  river  as  high  up  as 
the  great  carrying-place,  were  also  found.  These 
were  Jeremiah  Getchel,  a  very  respectable  man,  and 
John  Home,  an  Irishman  who  had  grown  grey  in 
this  cold  climate. 

This  small  party,  unconscious  of  danger,  and  an- 
imated by  a  hope  of  applause  from  their  country,  set 
forward  from  Fort  Western  in  their  light  barks,  at 

and  in  good  wa- 


u 


II 


the  rate  of  from  fifteen  to  twei^tyi  i 

f  Aj  >,<;  !jl    i^U  u*:/  ^«  ,  rA,v.    / 1  {, .. 


^. 


C   i4'<^*^^ 


♦^ 


,1 


18 


CAMPAIGN 


ter,  twenty-five  miles  per  day.  These  canoes  are  so 
light  that  a  person  of  common  strength  may  carry 
one  of  the  smaller  kind,  such  as  ours  were,  many 
hundred  yards  without  halting.  Yet  they  will  bear 
a  great  burthen,  and  swim  nearly  gunwale  deep;  an 
admirable  description  of  them  is  given  by  Hearne,  in 
his  journey  to  the  Coppermine  river.  Steele's  canoe 
bore  five  men  with  their  arms  and  baggage,  which 
last  was  indeed  light  in  quality  and  quan^ty :  one 
barrel  of  pork,  one  bag  of  meal,  and  200  weight  of 
biscuit.  The  other  canoe  carried  seven  men,  their 
arms  and  baggage,  and  a  due  proportion  of  provis- 
ions. 

On  the  evening  of  the  23d  of  September,  our  par- 
ty arrived  at  Fort  Halifax,  situated  on  the  point,  form- 
ed by  a  junctidn  of  the  Sabasticoog  and  the  Kenebec 
river.  Here  our  commander,  Steele,  was  accosted  by 
a  Captain  Harrison,  or  Huddlcstone,  inviting  him  and 
the  company  to  his  house.  The  invitation  wasglad- 
>  Wjacpyted.^  the  accommodation  at  the  Fort,  which 
consisted  of  old  block  houses  and  a  stoccade  in  a  ru- 
inous  state,  did  not  admit  of  much  comfort ;  besides, 
it  was  inhabited,  as  our  friend  the  Captain  said,  by 
a  rank  tory.  Here,  for  the  first  lime,  the  application 
of  the  American  term  *<  tory"  was  defined  Ui  me  by 
the  Captain.  Its  European  definition  was  well  un- 
derstood before.  Anotlier  interesting  conversation, 
on  the  part  of  the  captain,  struck  my  mind  as  a  great 
curk)6ity  in  natural  history,  and  well  deserving  com- 
memoration ;  he  observed  that  he  had  emigrated  to 
Uie  place  he  then  resided  at,  about  thirty  years' be- 
fore, most  probably  with  his  parents,  for  he  did  pot 
then  appear  to  be  much  beyond  forty.  That  at  that 
period  the  common  deer  which  now  inhabit  our  more 
■outhern  climate,  were  the  only  animals  of  the  deer 
Idndi  which  they  knew,  unlen  it  was  the  elk ;  and 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


19 


are  so 
J  carry 

many 
^ill  bear 
iep;  an 
irne,  in 
\  canoe 
which 
y:  one 
ight  of 
,  their 
provis- 

ur  par- 
1  form- 
enebec 
ijled  by 
mand 
sglad- 
which 
1  a  ru- 
esides, 
id,  by 
icatlon 
me  by 
eil  un« 
nation, 
I  great 
:  corn- 
led  to 
rs'be- 
d  pot 
It  that 
more 
)  deer 
:  and 


these  but  partially.  In  a  short  space  of  time  the 
moose  deer  appeared  in  small  numbers^  but  increas- 
ed annually  afterwards,  and  as  the  one  species  be- 
came more  numerous,  the  other  diminished :  so  that 
the  kind  of  deer  first  spoken  of,  at  the  time  of  this 
information,  according  to  the  captain,  was  totally 
driven  from  that  quarter.  The  moose  deer  reigned 
the  master  of  the  forest.  This  anecdote,  if  true, 
might  in  such  minds  as  those  of  Bufibn,  or  De  Paw, 
give  rise  to  theories  in  natural  history,  totally  incon- 
sistent with  the  laws  of  nature.  Still  there  may  be 
something  in  it;  brute  animals,  like  human  beings, 
whether  forced  by  necessity  or  from  choice,  do  emi- 
grate. Many  instances  might  be  given  of  this  cir- 
cumstance of  the  animal  economy,  in  various  parts 
of  the  world.  The  above  relation  is  the  only  in- 
stance which  has  come  to  my  knowledge,  where  one 
species  has  expelled  another  of  the  same  genus.  If 
the  fact  be  true,  it  is  either  effected  by  a  species  of 
warfare,  or  some  peculiarity  in  the  appearance  of  the 
one  khid,  and  of  horror  or  perhaps  of  msgust  in  th^ 
other.  We  know  that  the  rock-goat,  (steinbockf  of 
the  Germans,  and  bwiuetin^  of  the  French,)  former- 
ly inhabited  the  low  hills  of  southern  France  and  of 
the  Pyrenees;  they  have  been  driven  thence  by  some 
peculiar  cause,  for  they  are  now  confined  to  the  tops 
of  the  highest  mountains  in  Europe.  It  is  true,  it 
has  been  frequently  advanced  by  men  of  respectabil- 
ity and  information  in  Pennsylvania,  that  the  grey 
fox,  which  is  indigenous  in  the  United  States,  and  all 
North  America,  has  been  driven  from  the  Atlantic 
sea  coast  into  the  interior,  by  the  introduction  of  the 
red  fox  from  Europe.  But  we  have  no  sufficient  da- 
ta to  warrant  this  assertion.  The  truth  probably  is, 
that  as  the  grey  fox  is  a  dull  and  slow  animal,  com- 
pared with  the  sprigbtlineiB,  rapidity,  and  cunning  of 


'I! 


' 


80 


CAMPAIGN 


A* 


i! 


the  red  fox,  that  the  first  has  been  thinned  by  the 
huntsman,  and  gradually  receded  from  the  sea-coast 
to  the  forest,  where,  from  his  habits,  he  is  more  se- 
cure. The  cunning  and  prowess  of  the  latter  has 
enabled  him  to  maintain  his  station  among  the  farms, 
in  despite  of  the  swiftness  and  powerful  scent  of  the 
dogs.  But  that  which  puts  this  assertion  out  of  view, 
Is  that  the  red  fox  is  indigenous  throughout  North  A- 
merica.  He  and  the  grey  fox  are  found  in  the  high- 
est latitudes,  but  there  their  skins  are  changed  into 
more  beautiful  furs  than  those  of  ours,  by  the  effects 
of  climate.  Another  notion  has  been  started  within 
these  twenty  years  past,  that  the  fox  squirrel  is  ex- 
pelling the  large  grey  squirrel :  but  it  is  fallacious. 

Be  these  things  as  they  ma^,  we  spent  an  agreea- 
ble and  most  sociable  evening  with  this  respectable 
man  and  his  amiable  family.  On  the  following  day 
our  party  rose  early,  and  accompanied  by  our  host, 
waited  upon  the  tory,  who  then  shewed  himself  to  be 
an  honest  n^n,  of  independent  principles,  and  who 
'claimed  the  right  of  thinking  for  himself.  He  ex- 
changed a  barrel  of  smoke-dried  salmon  for  a  barrel 
of  pork,  upon  honest  terms.  We  set  out  from  this 
place,  well  pleased  with  our  host,  the  old  tory,  and 
our  bargain.  In  a  very  few  days,  without  other  ac- 
cident than  the  spraining  of  Lieutenant  Steele's  an- 
cle, by  his  slipping  when  carrying  a  canoe  over  the 
path,  at  one  of  the  intermediate  portages,  we  arrived 
safely  at  Norridgewoc  falls.  Coming  to  the  landing 
place,  the  water  being  smooth  and  very  deep,  a  rock, 
as  we  passed  it,  drew  my  attention  very  particularly ; 
it  was  standing  in  a  conical  form,  five  feet  in  perpen 
dicular  height,  and  ten  or  twelve  feet  in  diameter  at 
the  base.  1  observed  that  next  the  water,  the  face 
of  (he  rock,  which  was  a  bluish  flint,  was,  as  it  were, 
•catloped  out,  dowQ  to  the  water's  edge.    Asking 


Gelch< 
the  Ini 
ed  thei 
ableth 
have  I: 
ever, 
time, 
occurs 
have 
doubt, 
pursue 
ed.    ^ 
pitch 
town. 
vestig< 
mid-di 
me  in 
of  oui 
to  eaci 
took  p 
the  t\i 
made, 
plus, 
prece^ 
der  w 
lotted 
key  V 
(vege 
I    when 
ner. 
near 
roum 
M'Ki 
meat 
lastc 
and 


ESEsae 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


21 


by  the 
ea-coast 
lore  se- 
tter has 
e  farms, 
t  of  the 
of  view, 
»orth  A- 
le  high- 
ed  into 
3  effects 

within 
1  is  ex- 
;ious. 
agreea- 
)ec  table 
ng  day 
ir  host, 
ilf  to  be 
id  who 
He  ex- 
i  barrel 
>m  this 
y,  and 
her  ac- 
e's alt- 
er the 
irrived 
mding 
I  rock, 
ilarly ; 
lerpen- 
net  at 
e  face 
.  were, 
Lsking 


Getchel  how  this  had  occurred,  his  reply  was  that 
the  Indians  in  former  times  had  from  tnence  obtain- 
ed their  spear  and  arrow  points.  It  seems  unreason- 
able that  without  a  knowledge  of  iron,  they  should 
have  been  capable  of  executing  such  a  labor.  How- 
ever, upon  observation  and  reflection  since  GetchePa 
time,  an  inducement  from  experience  and  reasoning 
occurs,  which  influences  me  to  believe  that  he  might 
have  been  correct  in  his  observation.  The  rock,  no 
doubt,  still  remains,  and  ihere  is  leisure  for  others  to 
pursue  xhe  inquiry  and  discussion.  We  were  hurri- 
ed. The  village  within  one  hundred  yards  of  the 
pitch  of  the  fall  was  evidently  a  deserted  Indian 
town.  We  saw  no  one  there :  it  was  without  the 
vestige  of  inhabitants.  Dressing  our  victuals  here  at 
mid-day,  an  occurrence  happened  which  disgusted 
me  in  an  extreme  degree.  On  this  day,  an  estimate 
of  our  food  was  made,  and  an  allotment  in  quantity 
to  each  man,  though  no  actual  separation  of  shares 
took  place,  as  that,  it  was  agreed,  should  happen  at 
the  twelve-mile  carrying  place.  By  the^tiniate  now 
made,  it  seemed  that  there  was  something  of  a  sur- 
plus. As  we  had  had  hard  work  on  that  and  some 
preceding  days,  and  harder  fare,  our  good  comman- 
der was  inclined  to  indulge  us.  The  surplus  was  al- 
lotted for  this  day's  fare.  It  happened  that  M'Kon- 
key  was,  by  routine,  the  cook.  He  boiled  the  meat, 
(vegetable  food  of  any  kind  was  not  attainable,)  and 
when  sauntering  towards  the  fall,  he  called  us  to  din- 
ner. We  came  eagerly.  He  was  seated  on  the  earth, 
near  the  wooden  bowl.  The  company  reclined  a- 
round  in  a  like  posture,  intending  to  partake  ;  when 
M'Konkey,  raising  his  vile  and  dirty  hands,  struck  the 
meat,  exclaimed,  with  an  oath,  ^*  that  this  was  our 
last  comfortable  meal."  The  indelicacy  of  the  act, 
and  the  grossness  of  expression,  deprived  the  compa- 


■«?v 


22 


CAMPAIGN 


«*■*  '--■7 ' 

■  .    "     V 


V  ^ 


:i 


1,  .. 


ny  of  appetite.  On  several  subsequent  occasions  M*- 
Konkey  showed  himself  as  mean  in  tspiiit  as  he  was 
devoid  of  decency.  We  soon  rid  ourselves  of  him. 
Many  years  afterwards  at  Lancaster,  in  Pennsylva- 
nia, he  applied  for  and  received  a  loan  by  way  of 
charity  from  me,  which  he  meanly  solicited  with  the 
most  abject  sycophancy.  So  true  it  is,  in  general, 
that  those  who  disregard  the  social  decencies  of  life, 
are  equally  incapable  of  those  virtues  which  make 
man  respectable  in  society. 

On  the  afternoon  of  this  day  we  crossed  to  the 
west  side  of  the  river  below  the  fall :  searched  for, 
and  with  difficulty  found  the  carrying  place.  Hav- 
ing marked  it  with  precision,  we  rested  awhile.  On 
the  west  side  of  the  river,  not  very  distant  from  us, 
there  was  a  considerable  extent  of  natural  meadow. 
One  of  our  party,  exploring  the  country  for  deer,  met 
with  two  white  men  who  had  come  from  a  distance, 
mowing  the  wild  grass  of  the  meadow.  An  agree- 
able barter  ensued — we  gave  salted  pork,  and  they 
returned  twcT  fresh  beaver  tails,  which,  when  boiled, 
renewed  ideas  imbibed  with  the  May  butter  of  our 
own  country.  Taste,  however,  is  arbitrary,  and  of- 
ti^n  the  child  of  necessity.  Two  years  before  this, 
acorns  had  supplied  me  with  a  precarious  sustenance, 
on  a  journey  from  Sandusky  to  Pittsburg.  They 
momentarily  sustained  life  and  bodily  labor,  but  the 
consequence  was  ill  health.  Your  respectable  kins- 
man, General  Gibson,  received  me  into  his  house  at 
Logstown  on  the  Ohio,  and  restored  me  sound  to  my 
parents.  These  minute  matters  are  noted  here,  from 
an  expectation,  that  knowing  the  privations  men  may 
suffer  in  respect  to  food,  you  will  each  of  you  remem- 
ber to  receive  the  dispensations  of  Providence,  of  ev- 
ery kind|  if  not  with  thankfulness,  at  least  with  sub* 
mission. 


■^ 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


29 


ions  M'- 

he  was 

of  him. 

nsylva- 

way  of 

7\lh  the 

general, 

of  life, 

make 

to  the 
led  for, 
Hav- 
B.  On 
om  usr, 
eadow. 
!er,  met 
stance, 

agree- 
d  they 

boiled, 
of  our 
ind  of- 
e  this, 
nance. 

They 
»iit  the 
»  kins- 
use  at 

to  my 
B,  from 
n  may 
imem- 
of  ev- 
btub< 


We  passed  the  portage  of  Norridgewoc  falls.— 
Thence  for  several  days  the  navigation  for  such  ca- 
noes as  ours  was  tolerable,  and  in  the  most  part,  con-^ 
venient.  We  ascended  the  river  rapidly,  marking 
every  carrying-place.  Having  now  seceded  many 
miles  from  the  last  white  inhabitants  at  Norridgewoc, 
it  became  necessary  to  proceed  with  caution.  A  cir- 
cumspection was  adopted,  w^hich,  though  prudent  in 
the  predicament  we  were  in,  ap|)eared  rather  harsh 
to  the  feelings;  the  firing  of  a  gun  was  inhibited  ; 
though  the  weather  was  chilling,  we  dared  scarcely 
make  a  smoke  at  night.  Angling  for  trout  and  chub 
in  the  morning  and  evening  made  up  our  stock  of 
fresh  food.  We  frequently  saw  ducks,  6cc.  and  many 
moose  deer,  yet  we  discharged  not  a  gun ;  in  truth 
we  had  been  made  to  believe  that  this  country  had 
numerous  Indians  in  it. 

The  party  reached  without  molestation,  except 
from  natural  rock  and  a  swift  current,  the  twelve 
mile  carrying-place,  on  the  27th  of  September.  Here 
a  new  scene  opened.  Our  guides  professed  that  nei- 
ther of  them  had  ever  been  north  of  this  place  across 
the  carrying-place  ;  but  Getchel  alleged  that  he  had 
hunted  to  the  east  of  the  river. 

Now  we  assumed  the  responsibility  of  being  otn*  own 
guides,  giving  to  Getchel  due  respect  and  attention 
for  his  information  relative  to  the  route  north.  He 
informed  me  that  the  course  of  the  river  which  is  in^ 
judiciously  called  the  ^' Dead  River,''  tended  6()  or 
100  miles  northerly,  taking  a  short  turn  southward- 
ly, and  was  then  within  twelve  miles  of  us.  Tha^ 
this  part  was  full  of  rapids,  and  impassable  for  boats, 
or  even  canoes.  <  We  $eaiched  for  the  carrying-place, 
and  found  a  path  tolerably  distinct,  which  we  made 
more  SQ  l^y  marking  the  trees  and  snagging  the  busfal- 
«  with  our  tomabawkf.    Proceeding  until  evening, 


't. 


24 


CAMPAIGN 


11 


the  party  encamped  on  the  margin  of  a  small  lake, 
perhaps  half  a  mile  wide,  where  there  were  plenty 
of  trout,  which  old  Clifton,  who  was  good  at  angliAg, 
caught  in  abundance.  Here,  in  a  conference  on  the 
subject,  it  was  resolved  that  two  persons  of  the  party 
should  remain,  (with  about  one  half  of  the  provis- 
ions,) until  the  return  of  dur  main  body,  calculating 
the  return  would  be  in  eight  or  ten. days.  It  had 
been  observed  that  Clifton,  being  the  oldest  of  the 
.  company,  yet  brave  ^nd  a  good  shot,  from  the  fa- 
tigues we  had  endured  had  begun  to  flag.  With  the 
assent  of  our  chief  the  younger  part  of  us  proposed 
to  him  to  remain  where  we  then  were  with,  the  bet- 
ter part  of  the  provisions.  After  considerable  alter- 
cation he  assented,  on  condition  of  his  having  a  com- 
panion. The  youngest  of  the  party  nominated  M'- 
Konkey,  who  could  not  restrain  his  joy  at  the  propo- 
sal. It  was  advised  for  them  to  retire  to  the  south  end 
of  the  pond,  perhaps  a  mile,  and  there,  as  in  a  per- 
fect recess,  remain  concealed.  Knowing  M'Konkey, 
the  consequenceis  were  foreseen.  After  the  accom- 
plishment of  this  affair  Lieutenant  Steele  parted  the 
provision  appropriated  for  the  marchers,  not  by  pounds 
or  ounces,  my  dear  children,  but  |by  <' whose  shall 
be  this."  Some  of  you  have  been  taught  how  this 
is  done :  if  you  have  forgotten,  it  will  he  well  now 
to  tell  you  of  it.  The  principal  of  the  party,  if  he 
is  a  gentleman  and  man  of  honor,  divides  the  whole 
portion  equally  into  as  many  parts  as  there  are  men, 
including  himself;  this  is  done  under  the  eyes  of  all 
concerned,  and  with  their  approbation;  the  officer 
then  directs  some  one  of  the  company  to  turn  his 
back  upon  him,  and  laying  his  hand  on  a  particular 
portion,  asks  "  whose  shaU  be  this  T  The  answer 
IS  bap-hazard,  A.  B.  ^.  or  any  other  of  the  party. 
It  hat  frequently  occurred  that  we  were  compeUed  to 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


25 


divide  the  necessaries  of  life  in  this  way,  and  it  could 
not  be  fairly  said  that  any  fraud  or  circumvention 
took  place. 

September  28th,  we  left  Clifton  and  his  compan- 
ion in  a  most  dreary  wild,  but  with  enough  to  sup- 
port them :  and  if  they  would  act  honorably,  to  as- 
sist us.  A  laughable  occurrence  ensued.  '  Sergeant 
Boyd  and  myself  had,  that  day,  the  charge  of  un^ 
loading  and  loading  the  canoes,  which,  as  customa- 
ry, being  very  light  and  easily  blown  off  shore  by 
a  puif  of  wind,  were  drawn  half  their  lengths  on  the 
beach  ;  we  ran  a  race  to  see  who  should  perform  his 
duty  soonest-^he  arrived  first.  Taking  up  his  canoe 
'suddenly,  but  hoping  to  have  a  better  stand  than  the 
shore  presented,  he  set  his  foot  on  a  large  bed  of  moss 
seemingly  firm^  and  sunk  ten  feet  into  as  cold  water, 
white  fluid,  as  was  ever  touched.  We  soon  passed 
(he  pond,  found  the  path,,  marked  it,  and  came,  at 
the  end  of  several  miles,  to  a  second  pond,  if  my  re- 
collection serves,  larger  than  the  former :  traversing 
this,  we  encamped  more  cautiously  than  ever.  On 
the  next  day,  pursuing  the  path,  and  marking  it,  a 
third  pond  of  small  diameter  was  presented  to  our 
view.  Passing  this,  by  the  evening  we  encamped  on 
the  north  bank  of  the  Dead  River. 

This  river,  which  is  nothing  more  than  an  exten- 
sion of  the  Kennebec,  is  called  by  this  remarkable 
name,  because  a  current,  a  few  miles  below  the  place 
we  were  now  at,  and  for  many  miles  above  it,  is  im- 
perceptible. It  is  deep,  and  perhaps  250  yards  wide. 
The  ground  we  footed  within  the  last  three  days,  is 
a  very  rugged  isthmus,  which  forms  the  great  bend 
of  the  Kennebec.  Coming  from  the  high  ground  to- 
wards the  Dead  River,  we  passed  a  bog,  which  ap« 
peared,  before  we  entered  it,  as  a  beautiful  plat  of 
firm  ground,  level  as  a  bowling  green,  and  covered 

8 


h  1 


26 


CAMPAIGN 


by  an  elegant  green  moss.  That  day,  to  save  my 
shoes  for  severer  service,  mockasins  had  been  put  in 
their  place.  Every  step  we  made  sunk  us  knee-deep 
in  a  bed  of  wet  turf.  My  feet  were  pained  and  la- 
cerated by  the  snags  of  the  dead  pines,  a  foot  and 
more  below  the  surface  of  the  moss  ;  these,  and  many 
other  occurrences,  which  happened  afterwards,  con- 
vinced me  more  than  reading  could,  of  the  manner 
of  the  formation  of  turf.  Sometimes,  to  lighten  the 
canoe  when  ascending  swift  water,  several  of  us  would 
disembark  and  proceed  along  shore,  and  on  many 
occasions,  traverse  a  point  of  land  to  save  distance. 
Doing  this,  we  ofien  met  with  what  we  thought  aflat 
ground  cdvered  with  moss.  Entering  the  parterre,  as 
it  might  be  called,  and  running  along  that  which  we 
found  to  be  a  log  covered  with  moss,  the  moisture  on 
the  log  would  cause  a  foot  to  slip — down  we  would 
come,  waist  deep  in  a  bed  of  wet  moss ;  such  inci- 
dents always  created  a  laugh.  A  spark,  if  these 
beds  of  moss  had  been  dry,  as  they  were  wet,  would 
have  made  a  dreadful  conflagration  :  the  upper  coun- 
try seemed  throughout  as  if  covered  with  it.  To  the 
south  and  west  of  the  bog  first  mentioned,  there  was 
a  natural  meadow  of  great  extent.  On  the  west  it 
reached,  seemingly,  to  the  foot  of  the  mountains  sev- 
eral miles  off.  A  beautiful  creek  serpentined  through 
it,  and  formed  a  convenient  harbor  and  landing  place, 
opposite  to  our  camp,  and  directly  to  which  the  Indi- 
an path  led  us. 

The  timber  trees  of  this  country  are  in  a  great 
measure  diflerent  from  those  of  our  own.  Here  are 
neither  oaks,  hickories,  poplars,  maples  or  locusts ; 
but  there  is  a  great  variety  of  other  kinds  of  excellent 
timber,  such  as  the  white  and  yellow  pines,  hemlock, 
cedar,  cypress,  and  all  the  species  of  firs.  Tlieee 
trees,  in  tne  low  grounds,  grow  to  a  very  large  size. 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


27 


On  the  hills,  as  we  approached  northwardly,  they 
seem  to  dwindle,  particularly  as  we  come  to  the 
"  height  of  land  ;"  but  again  rise  to  a  superb  height 
as  we  descend  into  the  intervale,  on  the  streams  run- 
ning into  Canada.  Among  the  trees  of  this  country 
there  are  two  which  deserve  particular  notice,  be- 
cause of  their  remarkable  qualities.  These  are  the 
balsam  fir.  (Canada  Balsam — Balm  of  Gilead  fir, 
or  hahamum  Canadense  pinns  halsomea:  which 
produces  ihe  purest  turpentine,)  and  the  Yellow 
Birch.  The  first,  as  its  vulgar  name  imports,  yields 
a  balsamic  liquid,  which  has  been,  and  perhaps  is 
now,  much  esteemed  by  the  medical  profession. 
The  bark  is  smooth,  except  that  there  are  a  vast 
number  of  white  and  lucid  protuberances  upon  it,  of 
the  size  of  a  finger  or  thumb  nail,  bulging  from  the 
surface  of  the  bark.  This  tree  grows  to  the  size  of 
from  15  to  20  inches  in  diameter.  From  the  essays 
made,  it  seemed  to  me  that  a  phial  containing  a  gill 
might  be  filled  in  the  space  of  an  hour.  Getchel, 
our  guide,  taught  me  its  use.  In  the  morning  when 
we  rose,  placing  the  edge  of  a  broad  knife  at  the  un- 
der side  of  the  blister,  and  my  lips  at  the  opposite 
part,  on  the  back  of  the  knife,  which  was  declined, 
the  liquor  flowed  into  my  mouth  freely.  It  was  heat- 
ing and  cordial  to  the  stomach,  attended  by  an  agree- 
able pungency.  This  practice,  which  we  adopted, 
in  all  likelihood  contributed  to  the  preservation  of 
health — for  though  much  wet  weather  ensued,  and 
we  lay  often  on  lOW  and  damp  ground,  and  had  very 
many  successions  of  cold  atmosphere,  it  does  not  now 
occur  to  me  that  any  of  us  were  assailed  by  sickness 
during  this  arduous  excursion.  The  yellow  birch  is 
useful  in  many  particular  instances  to  the  natives. 
They  form  the  body  of  the  tree  into  setting-poles, 
paddles,  spoons  and  ladles.     The  bark,  its  better  pro- 


\-n 


?M 


28 


CAMPAIGN 


perty,  serves  as  a  covering  for  the  frame  of  the  ca- 
noe, much  in  the  same  manner  as  the  Esquimaux 
and  Greenlanders  apply  the  seal  skin.  To  you  it 
may  appear  to  be  a  strange  assertion,  but  to  me  it 
seems  true,  that  the  birch-bark  canoe  is  the  most  in- 
genious piece  of  mechanism,  man  in  a  rude  state  is 
capab'e  of  constructing.  From  the  bark  of  yellow 
birch,  the  Indian  also  forms  bowls  and  baskets  of  a 
most  beautiful  construction,  and  it  even  serves  as  a 
wrapper  for  any  nice  matter  which  it  is  wished  to 
keep  securely,  much  in  the  manner  we  use  brown 
wrapping  paper.  The  appearance  of  the  yellow  birch 
tree  at  a  distance,  is  conspicuous.  Approaching  near 
it,  in  the  autumn,  it  seems  involved  in  rolls,  some- 
thing resembling  large  circular  rounds  of  parchment, 
or  -yellow  paper.  There  is  in  my  mind  no  question, 
but  that  among  a  numerous  and  industrious  people, 
such  as  the  Chinese,  this  indigenous  product  would 
become  an  article  of  general  use  in  various  ways. 
The  bark,  when  taken  from  the  tree,  may  be  obtain- 
ed lengthwise  of  the  tree,  from  one  to  four  feet,  and 
of  a  length  equal  to  the  circumference.  It  is  some- 
times white,  with  a  yellow  cast,  but  more  usually  of 
a  pale,  and  sometimes  of  a  deep  gold  colour.  It  is 
divisible,  when  ever  so  thick,  into  the  most  filmy 
sheets.  The  Indians,  for  canoes,  use  it  of  the  thick- 
ness of  from  a  fourth,  down  to  the  eighth  of  an  inch, 
according  to  the  size  of  the  vessel.  Curiosity  and 
convenience  made  us  reduce  it  often  to  a  film,  by  no 
means  thicker  or  more  substantial  than  the  silky  pa- 
per we  obtain  from  India.  It  serves  equally  well  for 
the  pencil  as  paper.  Ink,  however,  flows  upon  it. 
In  the  course  of  time  a  medium  may  be  discovered 
to  preclude  this  inconvenience ;  this  bark  will  pre- 
serve better  than  paper. 
The  company,  not  apprehending  the  reverses  that 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


29 


the  ca- 
limaux 
you  it 
3  me  it 
nost  in- 
state is 
yellow 
?ts  of  a 
;s  as  a 
shed  to 
brown 
w  birch 
agnear 
8ome- 
hment, 
uestion, 
people, 
would 
ways, 
obtain- 
Bt,  and 
3  some- 
lally  of 
It  is 
It  filmy 
\  thick- 
n  inch, 
ly  and 
by  no 
kypa- 
vell  for 
pon  it. 
overed 
ill  prc- 

esthat 


1 


fortune  had  in  store  for  them,  left  the  encampment, 
(September  30th,)  full  of  courage  and  hope,  though 
a  strong  drift  of  snow,  which  whitened  all  the  sur- 
rounding hills,  had  fallen  during  the  night.  Having 
smooth  water,  we  paddled  away  merrily,  probably 
for  thirty  miles.  Getchel,  besides  his  sheer  wisdom, 
possessed  a  large  fund  of  knowledge  concerning  the 
country,  which  he  had  derived  from  the  aborigines, 
and  much  humorous  anecdote,  with  which,  in  spite 
of  our  privations,  he  made  us  laugh.  It  was  omit- 
ted to  be  mentioned,  that  before  we  left  our  last  en- 
campment, it  became  a  resolution  of  the  whole  par- 
ty, that  the  pork  in  the  possession  of  each  one,  should 
be  eaten  raw,  and  to  be  ate  but  in  the  morning  and 
evening.  As  we  could  not  obtain  food  in  this  miser- 
able portion  of  the  globe,  even  for  money,  if  we  had 
had  it,  and  having  nothing  else  than  our  arms  and  our 
courage  to  depend  on  :  unacquainted  with  the  (rue 
dii^tance  of  our  expedition,  for  we  had  neither  map 
nor  chart,  yet  resolved  to  accomplish  our  orders  at 
the  hazard  of  our  lives — we  prudently  began  to  hoard 
our  provision.  Half  a  biscuit  and  half  an  inch  square 
of  raw  pork,  became  this  evening's  meal.  The 
day's  journey  brought  us  to  the  foot  of  a  rapid,  which 
convinced  us  that  the  term  "  Dead  River"  was  much 
misapplied.  The  night  was  spent,  not  upon  feath- 
ers, but  the  branches  of  the  fir  or  the  t^pruce.  It 
would  astonish  you,  my  dear  children,  if  there  was 
leisure  to  explain  to  you  the  many  comforts  and  ad- 
vantages those  treii^  afford  to  the  way-worn  traveller. 
Suffice  it  now  to  say,  we  rested  well. 

October  Ist.  The  morning  brought  on  new  la- 
bors. Our  secondary  guide  and  myself,  thinking  that 
we  could  manage  the  water,  slipped  into  our  canoe. 
Qetchel  and  another  worked  Steele's,  while  our  com- 
panioof,  croflsing  the  hill,  marked  the  carrying-placo. 

3» 


I 


,8* 


i 


I 


SO 


CAMPAIGN 


From  our  camp)  two-thirds  at  least  of  these  rapid?, 
were  concealed  from  our  view.  In  much  danger, 
and  by  gieat  exertion,  we  surmounted  them  in  less 
than  an  hour.  Tailing  in  our  company,  we  had  good 
water  till  the  evening,  when  we  were  impeded  by  a 
precipitate  fall  of  four  feet.  We  encamped.  Octo- 
ber 2d.  Carrying  here,  we  had  good  water  all  the 
next  day  ;  mere  fatigue  and  great  lassitude  of  body 
most  likely  caused  us  to  sleep  well.  From  cautiona- 
ry motives  our  guns,  though  not  uncared  for,  were 
considered  as  useless,  in  the  way  of  obtaining  food. 
Several  of  our  company  angled  successfully  for  trout, 
and  a  delicious  chub,  which  we  call  a  lall-^sh.  This 
place  became  remarkable  to  me,  as  sometime  after- 
wards, my  friends  General  Simpson,  Robert  Djxon, 
with  myself,  were  here  at  the  point  ofaeatTi."  This 
you  will  find  in  the  sequel.  Carrying  a  few  perches 
around  this  precipice,  we  got  into  good  water,  and 
then  performed  a  severe  day's  labor. 

October  3d.  The  evening  brought  us  to  our  en- 
campment, on  the  south  side  of  the  river.  Angling 
was  resorted  to  for  food.  Sergeant  Boyd,  observing 
low  ground  on  the  other  si(!S  Of  Ihg  fiver,  tind  an  un- 
common coldness  in  the  water,  passed  over,  and  in  an 
hour  returned  with  a  dozen  trout,  of  extraordinary 
appearance,  lon^,  broad,  and  thick.  The  skin  was 
of  a  very  dark  hue,  beautifully  sprinkled  with  deep 
crimson  spots.  Boyd  had  caught  these  in  a  large  and 
deep  spring-head.  Contrasting  them  with  those  we 
caiught  in  the  river,  they  were  effdently  of  a  differ- 
ent species.  The  river  trout  were  of  a  pale  ground, 
with  pink  spots,  and  not  so  flat  or  broad.  The  next 
day,  proceeding  onward,  we  here  and  there  met  with 
rrugh  water.  In  the  evening  we  were  told,  that  on 
the  next  day  we  probably  should  arrive  at  the  camp 
of  Nataoia,  an  Indian,  whom  our  coounander  was 


instriK 
to  the 
knew 


I 

dence 
goods 
ter,  In 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


SI 


instructed  to  capture  or  kill.  Natanis  was  well  known 
to  the  white  inhabitants  of  the  lower  country ;  they 
knew  him  from  the  geographical  position  of  his  resi- 


and 


I 


NATANIS,  IN  SEMI-BARBARIAN  COSTUME. 

dence.  The  uninstructed  Indian,  if  he  possesses 
good  sense,  necessatily  from  his  wanderings  as  a  hun- 
ler,  beoomm  a  geographer.   This  good  man,  (ai  we 


1-1 

1 


i» 


) 


n  J»?i  CAMPAIGN    ^^ 

0ubsequently  knew  him  to  be,)  had  been  wrongfully 
accused  to  Arnold,  as  a  spy,  stationed  on  this  river  to 
give  notice  to  the  British  government,  of  any  party 
passing  this  way  into  Canada :  hence  that  cruel  or- 
der. 

Oct.  4th.  We  landed  some  miles  below  where  we 
supposed  his  house  was.  Our  canoes  were  brought 
upon  the  shore  and  committed  to  the  care  of  two  of 
the  party.  We  arrived  at  the  house  of  Natanis,  af- 
ter a  march,  probably  of  three  miles,  over  a  flat  coun- 
try covered  with  pines,  &,c.  Approaching  on  all  sides 
with  the  utmost  circumspection,  we  ran  quickly  to 
the  cabin,  our  riflps  prepared,  and  in  full  belief  that 
we  had  caught  Natanis.  Some  were  persuaded,  at 
the  distance  of  200  yards  from  the  place,  that  they 
saw  the  smoke  of  his  Are.  But  the  bird  was  flown. 
He  was  wiser  and  more  adroit  than  his  assailants,  as 
you  will  afterwards  learn.  The  house  was  prettily 
placed  on  a  bank  twenty  feet  high,  about  20  yards 
from  the  river,  and  a  grass  plat  extended  around,  at 
more  than  shooting  distance  for  a  rifle,  free  from  tim- 
ber and  underwood.  The  house,  for  an  Indian  cab- 
in, was  clean  and  tigh^  with  two  doors,  one  fronting 
the  river,  the  other  on  the  opposite  side.  We  found 
many  articles  of  Indian  fabrication,  evidently  such 
as  would  .:not  be  totally  abandoned  by  the  owner — 
besides,  ic  was  remarked  that  the  coals  on  the  hearth, 
from  their  appearance,  had  been  burning  atleast  with- 
in a  week  past.  These  notions  did  not  allay  our  ap- 
prehensions of  meeting  with  Indian  enemies.  The 
canoes,  in  the  meantime  having  been  brought  up, 
we  embarked  and  proceeded  with  alacrity.  Vhis  af- 
ternoon, in  a  course  of  some  miles,  we  came  to  a 
ftream  flowing  from  the  west,  or  rather  the  north- 
west. As  we  were  going  along  in  uncertainty,  part- 
ly iuduied  to  take  the  woiterly  stream,  one  of  the 


paity  for 

driven  d 

of  neatl 

top.    T 

terly  strc 

more  ws 

attentioi 

bark,  w< 

streams 

liave  de 

the  maj 

tion  froi 

er,  whi( 

the  Ind 

we  attt 

who,  a 

miles  u 

after  rel 

again  r 

of  one 

the  we! 

desertei 

and  thi 

kind  ol 

of  the 

Veniso 

spectin 

ney  fe; 

ehallo> 

ed  atp 

ter  ini 

)X)nd  t 

This  1 

might 

Here, 

of  an 


f- 


II 


igfully 
iver  to 
party 
iiel  01- 

ere  wo 
ought 
two  of 
is,  af- 
coun- 
sides 
;kly  to 
f  that 
led,  at 
t  they 
flown, 
mts,  as 
preirily 
)  yards 
ind,  at 
mtim- 
m  cab- 
onting 
found 
'  such 
ner — 
learth, 
wich- 
ur  ap. 
Tlie 
It  up, 
i^iisaf- 
to  a 
lorth- 
,  part- 
f  the 


AGAINST  QUEBEC.  t» 

s  

paity  fortunately  saw  a  strong  stake  which  had  been 
driven  down  at  the  edge  of  the  water,  with  a  piece 
of  neatly  folded  birch  bark,  inserted  intoasplitatthe 
top.  The  bark,  as  it  was  placed,  pointed  up  the  wes- 
terly  stream,  which,  at  its  mouth,  seemed  to  contain 
more  water  than  our  true  course.  Our  surprize  and 
attention  was  much  heightened,  when  opening  the 
bark,  we  perceived  a  very  perfect  delineation  of  the 
streams  above  us,  with  several  msH'ks  which  must 
have  denoted  the  hunting  camps,  or  real  abodes  of 
the  map-maker.  There  were  some  lines,  in  a  direc- 
tion from  the  head  of  one  branch  to  that  of  anoth- 
er, which  we  took  to  be  the  course  of  the  paths  that 
the  Indians  intended  to  take  that  season.  This  map 
we  attributed  to  Natanis,  or  to  his  brother,  Sabatis, 
who,  as  we  afterwards  knew,  lived  about  seven 
miles  up  this  westerly  stream.  For  when  our  party, 
after  returning  to  the  twelve  mile  carrying-place,  had 
again  re-ascended  the  river,  we  were  told,  by  the  crew 
of  one  of  Morgan's  boats,  that  they  hsid  mistaken 
the  westerly  stream  as  the  due  route,  and  had  found 
deserted  cabins  at  the  distance  already  mentioned, 
and  the  property  of  the  late  inhabitants,  placed  in  a 
kind  of  close  cage,  made  of  birch  bark  in  the  forks 
of  the  trees ;  these  they  most  iniquitously  plundered. 
Venison,  corn,  kettles,  6cc.  were  the  product.  In> 
specting  the  map  thus  acquired,  we  pursued  our  jour- 
ney fearlessly.  Now  the  river  became  narrower  and 
shallower.  The  strength  of  each  of  us  was  exert- 
ed at  poling  or  paddling  the  canoes.  Some  rapid  wa- 
ter interfered,  but  in  a  few  days  we  came  to  the  first 
|X)nd  at  the  head  of  the  Dead  River.  October  7th. 
This  first  pond,  in  the  course  of  the  traverse  we  made 
might  be  about  a  mile,  or  a  little  more,  in  diameter. 
Here,  on  a  small  island,  scarcely  containing  a  fourth 
of  an  acre,  we  discovered  and  ate  a  delicio  s  species 


•4        U 


:m 


1 


•4 


#      CAMPAIGN 


of  cranberry,  entirely  new  to  us.  It  grew  upon  bush- 
es from  ten  to  twelve  feet  high,  the  stock  of  the  thick- 
ness of  the  thumb,  and  the  fruit  was  as  large  as  a 
May-duke  cherry.  In  the  course  of  one  or  two  miles, 
we  reached  a  second  pond.  Between  this  pond  and 
the  third,  we  carried  ;  the  communication,  though 
not  long,  was  too  shallow  for  our  canoes.  The  car- 
rying-place was  excessively  rugged,  and  in  high  wa- 
ter, formed  a  p»rt  of  the  bed  of  the  stream.  The 
country  around  us  had  now  become  very  mountain- 
ous and  rough.  Several  of  these  mountains  seemed 
to  stand  on  insulated  bases,  and  one  in  particular, 
formed  a  most  t)eautiiul  cone,  of  an  immense  height. 
We  rested  for  the  evening. 

October  8th.  We  arrived  near  the  height  of  land 
which  divides  the  waters  of  New-England  from  those 
of  Canada,  which  run  into  the  St.  Lawrence.  The 
weather,  in  consequence  of  the  approaching  winter, 
had  become  piercingly  cold.  My  wardrobe  was  scan- 
ty and  light.  It  consisted  of  a  roundabout  jacket,  of 
woollen,  a  pair  of  half-worn  buckskin  breeches,  two 
pairs  of  woollen  stockings,  (bought  at  Newburyport,) 
a  hat  with  a  feather,  a  hunting-shirt,  leggins,  a  pair 
of  mockasins,  and  a  pair  of  tolerably  good  shoes, 
which  had  been  closely  hoarded. 

We  set  out  early,  yet  jovially.  We  entered  a  lake 
surrounded  by  high  and  craggy  mountains,  and  per- 
pendicular rocks  of  very  considerable  altitude,  which 
about  1 1  o'clock,  A.  M.  cast  us  into  a  dusky  shade. 
Pulling  the  paddle,  as  for  life,  to  keep  myself  warm, 
some  trifling  observation,  which  fell  from  me,  relative 
to  the  place  we  were  in,  such  as  its  resemblance  to  the 
vale  of  death,  drew  the  attention  of  the  company. 
Getchel,  in  his  dry  way,  turning  toward  me,  said, 
"  Johnny,  you  look  like  a  blue  leather  whet- stone." 
The  simpUcity  and  oddity  of  the  expresiion,  and  the 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


85 


upon  bush- 
f  thethick- 
iarge  as  a 
two  miles, 

pond  and 
n,  though 

The  car- 
1  high  wa- 
im.  The 
mountain- 
ns  seemed 
particular, 
,se  height. 

fit  of  land 
rora  those 
ce.  The 
ff  winter, 
was  scan- 
jacket,  of 
hes,  two 
>uryport,) 
s,  a  pair 
d  shoes, 

)d  a  lake 
and  per- 
which 
shade, 
warm, 
relative 
cetothe 
mpany. 
3,  said, 
stone." 
indthe 


gravity  of  his  manner,  caused  great  merriment  ti  my 
expense :  it  was  enjoyed  on  my  part,  certain  that  it 
was  not  an  expression  of  disesteem,  but  affection,  for 
the  man  liked  me.  These  minim  tales  and  jejune 
occurrences  are  related  to  convey  to  your  minds  an 
idea  how  men  of  true  spirit  will  beard  death  in  every 
shape,  even,  at  times,  with  laughter,  to  effectuate  a 
point  of  duty  which  is  considered  essential  to  the 
welfare  of  their  country.  Thus  we  went  on,  inces- 
santly laboring  without  sustenance,  until  we  came, 
about  3  o'clock,  to  the  extreme  end  of  a  fifth  and  the 
last  lake.  This  day's  voyage  might  amount  to  fif- 
teen or  twenty  miles. 

On  this  lake  we  obtained  a  full  view  of  those  hills 
which  were  then,  and  are  now,  called  the  "  Height 
of  Land."  It  made  an  impression  upon  us  that  was 
really  more  chilling  than  the  air  which  surrounded 
us.  We  hurried  ashore — drew  out  our  canoes,  and 
covered  them  with  leaves  and  brush-wood.  This 
done,  with  our  aims  in  our  hands,  and  our  provisions 
in  our  pockets,  we  made  a  race  across  the  mountain, 
by  an  Indian  path,  easily  ascertainable,  until  we  ar- 
rived on  the  bank  of  the  Chaudiere  river.  The  dis- 
tance is  about  five  miles,  counting  the  rising  and  de- 
scent of  the  hill  as  two.  This  was  the  acme  of  our 
desires.  To  discover  and  know  the  course  of  this 
river  was  the  extent  of  our  orders:  beyond  it  we  had 
nothing  to  do.  Our  chief,  wishing  to  do  every  thing 
a  good  officer  could  to  forward  the  service,  asked  if 
any  one  could  climb  a  tree,  around  the  foot  of  which 
we  then  stood.  It  was  a  pine  of  considerable  height, 
without  branches  for  forty  feet.  Robert  Cunning- 
ham, a  strong,  athletic  man,  about  twenty-five  years 
old,  presented  himself.  In  almost  the  twinkling  of 
an  eye,  he  climbed  the  tree.  He  fully  discerned  th« 
meandering  course  of  the  rifer,  as  upoR  a  nap,  nad 


-  I 


H  :  *      ?^   CAMPAIGN 

even  descried  the  lake  Chaudiere,  at  a  distance  of 
fourteen  or  fifteen  miles.  The  country  around  and 
between  us  and  the  lake,  was  flat.  Looking  west- 
tvard,  he  observed  a  smoke ;  intimating  this  to  us, 
from  the  tree  where  he  sat,  we  plainly  perceived  it. 
Cunningham  came  down  ;  the  sun  was  setting  ap- 
parently in  a  clear  sky. 

Now  our  return  commenced.  It  so  occurred  that  I 
was  in  the  rear,  next  to  Getchel,  who  brought  it  up. 
We  ran  in  single  file,  and  while  it  was  light,  it  was 
observed  by  me,  as  we  tried  to  stride  into  the  footsteps 
of  the  leader,  that  he  covered  the  track  with  Uk  feet ; 
this  was  no  mean  duty.  It  required  the  courage,  the 
vigor,  and  the  wisdom  which  designates  genuine  man- 
h^)d.  Our  object  was  to  be  concealed  from  a  knowl- 
edge of  any  one  who  might  communicate  our  pres- 
ence there,  to  (he  Canadian  government.  The  race 
was  urged,  and  became  more  rapid  by  the  indications 
of  a  storm  of  rain  :  we  had  scarcely  reached  more 
than  half  way  up  the  hill,  when  the  shower  came 
down  in  most  tremendous  torrents.  The  night  be- 
came dark  as  pitch  ;  we  groped  the  way  across  the 
ridge,  and  in  descending,  relying  on  the  accuracy  of 
our  leader,  we  continued  with  speed.  The  piecipice 
was  very  steep;  a  root,  a  twig,  perhaps,  caught  the 
buckle  of  my  shoe  ;  I  tripped,  and  came  down  head 
foremost,  unconscious  how  far,  but  perhaps  twenty  or 
thirty  feet.  How  my  gun  remained  unbroken,  it  is 
impossible  to  say.  When  I  recovered,  it  was  in  my 
hands.  My  companions  had  out-stripped  me.  Stun- 
ned by  the  fall,  feeling  for  the  path  with  my  feet, 
my  arrival  at  the  canoe-place  was  delayed  till  ten  at 
night,  an  hour  and  more  later  than  my  friends.  An 
erection  called  a  tent,  but  more  correctly  a  wigwam, 
tVtti  made  in  the  hurry  with  forki  and  cross-poles, 
covered  with  th«  branches  of  fir.    It  rained  incesr 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


07 


stance  of 
und  and 
ng  west- 
is  to  us, 
;eived  it. 
tting  ap- 

d  that  I 
U  it  up. 
it  was 
footsteps 
Jiia  feet  j 
•age,  the 
neman- 
i  knowl- 
ur  prcs- 
'he  race 
ications 
id  more 
sr  came 
ght  be- 
OSS  tile 
racy  of 
tecipice 
rht  the 
n  head 
enty  or 
n,  it  is 
in  my 
Slun- 
ly  feet, 
ten  at 
I.    An 
rwam, 
^polef, 
mcesf 


santly  all  that  night.  If  the  clothes  we  wore  had 
been  dry,  they  would  have  become  wet ;  so  we  laid 
down  in  all  those  we  bad  on.  Sleep  came  to  my 
eyes,  notwithstanding  the  peltings  of  the  pitiless 
storm  through  the  humble  roof. 

October  9th.  We  arose  before  day.  The  canoes 
were  urged  suddenly  into  the  water,  it  still  raining 
hard,  and  at  day  light  we  thought  of  breakfasting. 
Gracious  God!  what  was  our  fare?  What  could 
we  produce  for  such  a  feast  ?  Rummaging  my  pan- 
taloons pockets,  I  found  a  solitary  biscuit  and  an  inch 
of  pork.  Half  of  the  biscuit  was  devoted  to  the 
break faifit,  and  so  also  by  each  person  ;  and  that  was 
consumed  in  the  canoes  as  we  paddled  over  the  lake. 
The  rain  had  raised  the  lake,  and  consequently  the 
outlets,  about  four  feet.  We  slid  glibly  along,  over 
passages  where  a  tew  days  previous,  we  had  carried 
our  canoes.  At  the  outlet  of  the  fourth  lake,  count* 
ing  as  we  came  up,  a  small  duck  appeared  within 
shooting  distance.  It  was  a  diver,  well  known  in  our 
country — a  thing  which  we  here  contemn.  Know- 
ing the  value  of  animal  food,  in  our  predicament,  sev- 
eral of  us  fired  at  the  diver :  Jesse  Wheeler,  how- 
ever, (whom  all  acknowledge(f"2rfi'  excellent  shot,) 
struck  it  with  his  ball.  A  shout  of  joy  arose — the 
little  diver  was  safely  deposited  in  our  canoe.  We 
went  on  quickly,  without  accident,  till  the  evening, 
probably  traversing  a  space  of  more  than  forty  miles. 
At  night-fall  we  halted,  weary  and  without  tasting 
food  since  morning.  Boyd  and  Cunningham,  who 
were  right-hand-men  on  most  occasions,  soon  kindled 
a  fire  against  a  fallen  tree.  An  occurrence  this  eve- 
ning took  place,  which  my  dear  children  you  will 
hardly  credit,  but  which,  (permit  me  to  assure  you,) 
is  sacredly  true.  The  company  sat  themselves  gloom- 
ily around  the  fire  j  the  cook^  according  to  routine^ 


,i.tf 


i 
if 


88 


CAMPAIGN 


:    > 


(whether  our  chief  or  others,)  picked  the  duck,  and 
when  picked  and  dressed,  it  was  brought  (o  the  fire- 
side. Here  ii  became  a  question,  how  lo  make  the 
most  of  our  stock  of  provisions.  Finally  it  was  con- 
cluded to  boil  ihe  duck  in  our  camp-ketile,  togeiiier 
with  each  man's  bit  of  pork,  distinctly  marked  by 
running  a  small  skewer  of  wood  through  it,  with  his 
particular  and  private  designation.  Tliat  the  broth 
thus  formed,  should  be  the  supper,  and  the  duck  on 
the  ensuing  morning  should  be  the  breakfast,  and 
which  should  be  distributed  by  "whose  shall  be 
this. '  Strange  as  this  tale  may  appear  to  you,  in 
these  times,  the  agreement  was  religiously  performed. 
Being  young,  my  appetite  was  ravenous  as  that  of  a 
wolf,  but  honor  bound  the  stomach  tight. 

We  rose  early,  and  each  person  selected  his  bit  of 
pork,  which  made  but  a  single  mouthful — there  was 
no  controversy.  The  diver  was  parted  most  fairly, 
into  ten  shares,  each  one  eyeing  the  integrity  of  the 
division.  Lieutenant  Steele  causing  the  "turning 
of  the  back,"  the  loitery  gave  me  a  victory  over  my 
respectable  friend  Cunningham.  His  ishare  was  the 
head  and  the  feet,  mine  one  of  the  thighs.  Hungry 
and  miserabl«  as  we  were,  even  this  was  sport  to  us. 
In  fact,  we  were  sustained  by  a  flattering  hope  that  we 
should,  soon  meet  our  friend?*,  "  the  army." 
.  Setting  out  early  on  the  lOth  of  October,  by  the 
evening  we  mftde  nearly  fifty  miles.  The  bit  of  pork 
and  the  rest  of  the  biscuit  became  my  supper.  My 
colleagues  were  similarly  situated.  The  morning 
sun  saw  us  without  any  food.  We  did  not  despond. 
The  consolatory  idea  that  on  that,  or  the  next  day, 
we  should,  certainly  join  the  army,  infused  energy  in- 
to our  minds  and  bodies.  Yet  being  without  food, 
though  we  loved  each  other,  every  endearment  which 
biodd  man  to  man  ^yns^iisit  w^re^forgQUentJaa  pro- 


jck,  and 

the  fiie- 
lake  ihe 
was  con- 

togeiher 
irked  by 

with  his 
he  broth 
duck  on 
ast,  and 
shall  be 

you,  in 
srformed. 
that  of  a 

his  bit  of 
liere  was 
[)st  fairly, 
Ly  of  (he 
"  turning 
over  my 
i  was  the 
Hungry 
ort  to  us. 
>e  that  we 

,  by  the 
(itofpork 
)er.  My 
morning 
despond, 
ext  day, 
nergy  in- 
Dut  food, 
nt  which 
Jaapro- 


a 


AGAINST  QUEBEC.  M 

found  silence.    After  a  long  day's  journey,  still  we 
were  supperlevs. 

The  succeeding  morning,  (11th,)  starting  early, 
we  ran  at  a  monstrous  rate.  The  waters,  by  addi* 
tional  rains  above,  had  risen  greatly.  By  ten  or  e- 
leven  o'clock,  A.  M.  we  obseived  a  great  smoke  be- 
fore us,  which  from  its  extent,  we  could  ascribe  to 
noihirig  else  than  the  encampment  of  the  army,  our 
friends  and  fellow-soldiers.  After  some  time,  the  light 
canoe,  several  hundred  yards  before  us,  (with  Steele 
and  Getchel  in  it,)  passed  between  the  forks  of  a 
tree,  which  lay  rooted  in  the  middle  of  the  stream, 
where  most  likely  it  had  lain  for  many  years.  Ail 
its  branches  had  been  worn  away  by  the  annual  friC' 
tion  of  the  ice  or  waters,  except  those  which  formed 
the  fork,  and  they  stood  directly  against  the  current, 
nearly  a  foot  out  of  water,  and  tdn  or  more  feet  a- 
part.  Seeing  our  iriends  pass  through  safely,  and  be- 
ing unconscious  that  we  were  worse  or  less  adventu- 
rous watermen  than  they  were,  we  risked  it.  We 
ran  with  great  velocity.  JVIy  good  Irishman  steered. 
By  an  unlucky  stroke  of  some  one  of  our  paddles, 
(for  each  of  us  had  one,)  but  from  his  situation  and 
power  over  the  vessel  it  was  fairly  attributable  to  the. 
steersman,  the  canoe  was  thrown  a  little  out  of  itsj 
true  course,  just  as  it  was  entering  the  prongs  of  the 
fork.  Trifling  as  this  may  appear  to  you,  to  us  it 
was  the  signal  of  death.  One  of  the  prongs  took  the 
right  hand  side  of  the  canoe,  within  six  inches  of  the 
bow,  immediately  below  the  gunwale,  duick  as 
lightning  that  side  of  the  canoe  was  laid  open  from 
stem  to  stern,  and  water  was  gushing  in  upon  us  that 
would  inevitably  have  sunk  us  in  a  second  of  time, 
but  for  that  interference  of  Providence  which  is  athe- 
ist ically  called  presence  of  mind.  Otherwise  a  host 
of  men  coi^ld  not  have  saved  us  from  a  watery  grave. 


■  I' 


!li 


U 


\\  > 


H      ) 


.    I 


40 


CAMPAIGN 


Instinctively  leaning  to  the  left,  we  sunk  the  gun- 
wale of  that  side  down  to  the  water's  edge,  by  which 
we  raised  the  broken  side  an  inch  and  more  out  of 
it.  Calling  loudly  to  our  companions  ahead,  they 
eoon  saw  our  distress,  and  put  in  at  the  great  smoke. 
Carefully  and  steadily  sitting,  and  gently  paddling, 
many  hundred  yards,  we  landed  safely.  Here  was 
no  army,  no  friends,  no  food — only  a  fiiendly  fire, 
kindled  by  ourselves  as  we  ascended  the  river ;  it  had 
been  our  camp.  The  fire  we  had  made  had  scarce- 
ly more  than  smoked,  but  now  it  had  crept  into  the 
turfy  soil,  and  among  the  roots  of  trees,  and  was 
spread  over  half  an  acre.  Our  situation  was  truly 
horrible.  When  we  had  examined  the  broken  ca- 
noe, and  had  rummaged  both,  for  the  means  of  re- 
pairing it,  every  heart  seemed  dismayed.  Our  birch 
bark. and  pitch  had  been  exhausted  in  former  repairs 
— we  were  without  food — perhaps  one  hundred  miles 
from  the  army,  or  perhaps  that  army  had  returned 
to  New  England.  That  sensation  of  the  mind  call- 
ed "  the  horrors,"  seemed  to  prevail.  Getchej  alone 
was  really  sedate  and  reflective.  He  ordered  the  oth- 
er guide  to  search  for  birch  bark,  whilst  he  would 
look  among  the  pines  for  turpentine.  We  followed 
the  one  or  the  other  of  these  worthies,  according  to 
inclination,  and  soon  returned  with  the  desired  mate- 
rials. The  cedar  root  was  in  plenty  under  our  feet. 
Now  a  difficulty  occurred,  which  had  been  unfoie- 
■een,  and  which  was  seemingly  destructive  of'ail  hope. 
This  was  the  want  of  fat  or  oil  of  everv  kind,  with 
which  to  make  the  turpentine  into  pitch.  A  lucky 
thought  occurred  to  the  youngest  of  the  company, 
thai  the  pork  bag  lay  empty  and  neglected  in  one  of 
the  canoes.  The  thought  and  the  act  of  bringing  it 
were  instantaneous.  The  bag  was  ripped,  and  as  if 
it  had  beeo  so  much  gold  dust,  we  scraped  from  it  a- 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


41 


:  the  gun- 
,  by  which 
lore  out  of 
lead,  they 
eat  smoke. 

paddling, 
Here  was 
endly  fire, 
^er ;  it  had 
I  ad  scarce- 
)t  into  the 
I,  and  was 
was  truly 
iroken  ca- 
ans  of  re- 
Our  birch 
[ler  repairs 
jred  miles 
1  returned 
mind  call- 
shel  alone 
id  theolh- 
Iie  would 
i  followed 
lording  to 
ired  male- 
r  our  feet, 
n  unfore- 
fall  hope, 
ind,  with 

A  lucky 
company, 
in  one  of 
ringing  it 
and  as  if 
from  it  a- 


bout  a  pint  of  dirty  fat.  Getchel  now  prepared  an 
abundance  of  pitch.  The  cedar  root  gave  us  twine. 
The  canoe  was  brought  up  to  the  fire.  We  found 
every  rib  except  a  few  at  the  extreme  points,  actual- 
ly torn  from  the  gunwale.  All  hands  set  to  woik — 
two  hours  afterwards,  the  canoe  was  borne  to  the  wa- 
ter. 

We  embarked,  and  proceeding  cautiously,  as  we 
thou>>hl,  along  the  shore,  (for  we  dared  not  yet,  with 
our  craggy  ves^sel,  venture  into  deep  water,)  a  snag, 
standing  up  stream,  struck  through  the  bottom  of  the 
canoe.  This  accident  happened  about  five  hundred 
yards  from  the  fire.  We  put  back  with  heavy  hearts 
and  great  ditficully — our  friends  followed.  It  took  an 
hour  to  patch  the  gap.  The  cup  of  sorrow  was  not 
yet  full.  As  the  men  were  bearing  the  wounded  ca- 
noe to  the  w^ater,  Serp^eant  Boyd  who  paddled  in  the 
small  canoe,  whicii  was  drawn  up  as  usual,  taking 
'hold  of  the  bow,  raised  it  waist  high,  (as  was  light,) 
intending  to  slide  ii.  gently  intt)  the  water — the  bank 
wassieepand  slippery,  and  Oh  !  my  dearchildien,  you 
cannot  conceive  the  dread  and  hormr  the  succeeding 
part  of  thii*  scene  produced  in  our  minds.  IVIr.  Boyd's 
feet  slipped — the  canoe  fell  from  his  hands — its  own 
weight  falling  upon  the  cavity  formed  by  the  decliv- 
ity of  the  bank  and  the  water — broke  it  in  the  cen- 
tre into  two  pieces,  which  were  held  together  by  no- 
thing but  the  gunwale.  Now  absolute  despair  for 
the  first  lime  seized  me.  A  thought  came  across  my 
mind,  that  the  Almighty  had  destined  us  to  die  of 
hunger  in  this  inhospitable  wilderness.  The  recol- 
lection of  my  parentu,  my  brothers  and  sister,  and 
the  clandestine  and  cruel  manner  of  my  deserting 
them,  drew  from  me  some  hidden,  yet  burning  tears, 
and  much  mental  contrition.  This  was  unknown, 
unieeo,  and  unheard  by  any  but  Him  who  is  prefleat 

4* 


'!  :i 


"^"^r 


49 


CAMPAIGN 


'I    I 


every  where,  and  sees  our  inmost  thoughts.  Getch- 
el,  (comparing  small  things  with  great,  who  much 
resembled  Homer's  description  of  Ulysses,  in  his  per- 
son, and  whose  staid  and  sober  wisdom  and  foresight 
also  bore  a  likeness  to  the  talents  of  that  hero,)  re- 
signed, yet  thoughtful  and  active,  instantly  went  to 
work.  The  canoe  was  brought  to  the  fire,  and  pla- 
ced Id  a  proper  posture  for  the  operation.  The  la- 
cerated parts  were  neatly  brought  together,  and  sewed 
with  cedar  root.  A  large  ridge  of  pitch,  as  is  cus- 
tomary in  the  construction  of  this  kind  of  water  craft, 
was  laid  over  the  seam  to  make  it  water-tight.  Over 
the  seam  a  patch  of  strong  bark  a  foot  in  width,  and 
of  a  length  sutiicient  to  encircle  the  bottom,  even  to 
the  gunwales,  was  sewed  down  at  the  edges  and  pitch- 
ed. Again  over  the  whole  of  the  work  it  was  thought 
prudent  to  place  our  pork  bag,  i^hich  was  well  satu- 
rated with  liquid  fat.  It  was  a  full  yard  wide,  and 
was  laid  down  in  the  same  manner.  This  work, 
which  was  laborious,  nearly  consumed  the  rest  of  the 
day.  ,; 

We  set  out  notwithstanding  the  lateness  of  the 
hour,  and  would  it  is  likely  have  gone  ail  night,  well 
knowing  the  water  below  to  be  good,  but  for  an  en- 
livening occurrence,  which  soon  after  happened.  Hun- 
ger drove  us  along  at  a  cautious  but  rapid  rate.  The 
sterility  of  the  country  above  had  afforded  us  no 
game,  neither  moose,  bear,  nor  wolf:  nothing  in  short 
but  the  diver  and  a  red  pine  squirrel,  which  was  too 
small  and  quick  to  be  killed  by  a  bullet.  These 
squirrels  did  not  much  exceed  in  size  our  striped 
ground  sauirrel.  About  dusk  the  lieutenant's  canoe, 
four  hundred  yards  before  us,  had  within  view  turn- 
ed a  sharp  point  oi  land,  when  we  heard  the  crack 
of  a  rifle,  and  presently  another  and  a  huzza.  Ap- 
jNTeiiendiog  an  attack  horn  an  enemyi  we  pulled  hard 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


4t 


I.  Getch- 
vho  much 
in  his  per- 
d  foresight 
hero,)  re- 
f  went  to 
,  and  pla- 
Tiie  la- 
and  sewed 
as  is  cus- 
vatercraft, 
ht.  Over 
M^idth,and 
n,  even  to 
and  pitch- 
as  thought 
well  satu- 
wide,  and 
'his  work, 
rest  of  the 

!S9  of  the 
night,  well 
for  an  en- 

Eied.  PJun- 
aic.  The 
ed  us  no 
)g  in  short 
h  was  too 
t.  These 
ur  Hlriped 
ni's  canoe, 
^'iew  mm- 
the  crack 
tsza.  Ap- 
ulledhard 


1 


\ 


to  be  enabled  to  support  our  friends.  In  a  moment 
or  two,  observing  them  pulling  for  the  north  shorcj 
which  was  steep,  we  looked  up  it  for  the  enemy. 
Good  Heavens  !  what  a  sight !  We  saw  a  moose- 
deer  falling  on  the  top  of  the  bank.  A  cry  of  exul- 
tation seemed  to  burst  the  narrow  valley  of  the  riv- 
er. Steele  had  struck  the  deer  in  the  flank,  as  it 
was  leaving  the  water,  but  it  sprung  up  the  bank  with 
agility.  Wheeler,  wiih  better  fortune  for  us  all,  pier- 
ced its  heart  as  it  arrived  at  the  top.  Seeing  (his, 
you  can  scarcely  imagine  the  celerity  ol  our  move- 
ments. We  were  ashore  in  a  moment.  A  fire  was 
kindled — the  secondary  guide  cut  off  the  nose  and 
upper  lip  of  the  animal,  instantly,  and  had  it  on  the 
fire.  What  a  feast !  But  we  were  prudent.  We 
sat  up  all  night,  selecting  the  fat  and  tit-bits — frying, 
roasting,  boiling  and  broiling.  Tow^irds  morning 
we  slept  a  few  hours,  absolutely  careless  of  conse- 
quences. We  knew  that  we  had  arrived  in  a  land 
where  game  was  plentiful,  and  where  there  were  no 
foes  i^uperior  to  our  number,  to  oppose  us. 

Oct.  12. — We  rose  after  sunrise,  and  began,  accor- 
ding to  practice,  to  examine  and  prepare  our  guns. 
Prepared,  mine  was  placed  against  a  tree ;  my  duty, 
in  course,  was  of  the  culinary  kind.  George  Mer- 
chant, my  coadjutor,  had  gone  to  the  river  for  water. 
He  ran  back,  seized  his  own  gun,  and  intimated  that 
a  bull  moose  was  swimming  across  the  river  towards 
the  camp.  We  jumped  to  our  arms — it  so  happened 
that  my  station  was  rearward.  The  enormous  ani- 
mal was  coming  towards  us,  and  not  more  than  fifty 
paces  off,  his  head  and  horns  only  above  water.  'J^he 
siffht  was  animating.  Wheeler  and  some  others  fir- 
ed at  his  head,  but  without  effect.  The  extieme 
desire  they  had  to  possess  so  noble  a  prey,  piobably 
caused  a  tremor  of  the  band,  of  that  pari  of  his  body 


I  ■ 


I.:-! 


ui 


-T^-ijigaiiii  UMiii 


Kl  i. 


m 


CAMPAIGN  -'^ 


t.   ! 


.    I 


!     I 


^f. 


1 

II  ■ 

1 

II 

'  1 

1 
1  , 

!| 

i   ; 

was  impenetrable  to  our  small  balls,  which  is  most 
likely.  The  moose  turned  and  swam  to  the  oppo- 
site bank.  Having  ^ot  to  ihe  verge  of  the  river,  his 
emerging  was  awaited.  My  ball  struck  precisely 
where  it  ought  to  kill.  The  huge  animal  rose  the 
bank  by  several  boggling  leaps,  but  seemed  unknow- 
ing which  way  to  run.  We  thought  he  would  fall. 
Wheeler,  and  some  others,  getting  into  the  canoes, 
pursued  him  by  his  blood  half  a  mile.  When  Whee- 
ler returned  he  overloaded  me  with  praises  for  the 
accuracy  of  the  shot,  and  was  confident  that  the  deer 
was  killed.  We  had  no  time  to  spare.  We  feasted 
till  noon,  and  in  the  intermediate  moments  culled 
the  entrails  for  the  fat :  we  even  broke  the  bones  and 
extracted  the  marrow,  under  the  full  persuasion  that 
food  of  an  oily  nature  is  one  of  the  strongest  main- 
stays of  human  life.  Of  this  principle,  if  we  had  a 
doubt,  we  were  shortly  afterwards  most  irrefragably 
convinced.  We  departed  from  our  camp  joyously, 
untortured  by  the  fear  of  starving :  our  canoe  sunk 
deep  by  the  weight  of  our  venison.  Running  some 
miles  and  suddenly  doubling  a  point,  we  saw  a  large 
grey  wolf  sitting  on  his  haunches — he  was  fired  at, 
but  the  distance  was  too  great.  He  escaped.  Look- 
ing down  the  river  we  saw  a  moose  swimming  from 
the  main  to  an  island  ;  it  was  soon  brought  down. 
It  proved  to  he  young — of  about  3U0  pounds  weight. 
Its  ears  and  flanks  were  much  torn  by  il*e  wolf.  It 
constituted  veal  in  our  larder.  The  choice  parts 
were  deposited  in  the  canoes — the  residue  was  at  the 
disposal  of  the  wolf. 

The  following  morning,  (October  13th,)  embark- 
ed early.  After  noon  we  arrived  at  our  first  encamp- 
ing ground  on  the  '*  Dead  River,"  in  good  health  and 
spirits,  though  pallid  and  weak  fur  the  waut  of  sub- 
•tarttiai  food  in  due  qiiaoUty. 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


4« 


h  is  most 
►  the  oppo- 
e  river,  his 
:  precisely 
il  rose  the 
i  un know- 
would  fail, 
he  canoes, 
len  Whee- 
jes  for  the 
lat  the  (leer 
We  feasted 
;nts  culled 
!  bones and 
ihsion  that 
i^est  main- 
r  we  had  a 
refragably 
I  joyously, 
anoe  sunk 
ning  some 
;awa  large 
as  fired  at, 
id.  Look- 
ning  from 
ight  down, 
da  weight. 
8  wolf.  It 
loice  parts 
was  at  the 

,)  embark- 
stencamp- 
health  and 
lut  of  tub- 


'%■ 


By  this  time  the  fat  and  marrow  of  tlie  animate* 
had  killed,  were  exhausted,  and  our  stock  of  salthad 
been  long  since  expended.  One  who  has  never  been 
deprived  of  bread  and  salt,  nor  known  the  absence 
of  oleaginous  substances  in  his  food,  cannot  make  a 
true  estimate  of  the  invaluable  benefiisof  such  ingre- 
dients, in  the  sustenation  of  the  bodily  frame ;  nor  of 
the  extremity  of  our  corporeal  debility. 

We  ascended  the  bank,  which  is  steep,  and  about 
fourteen  feet  high,  carrying  our  baggage,  arms  and 
venison,  leisurely,  by  piecemeal.  The  canoes,  be- 
ing too  heavy  for  our  strength,  were  secured  below, 
in  the  water,  by  withes.  It  was  immediately  conclu- 
ded to  prei^erve  our  provisions  by  jerking.  This  op- 
eration is  done  by  slicing  the  meat  into  thin  strips. 
Then  driving  four  forks  into  the  earth,  in  a  square 
position,  at  the  required  distance  perpendicularly,  and 
laying  poles  from  fork  to  fork,  and  poles  athwart  from 
pole  to  pole.  A  rack  is  thus  made,  about  four  feet 
high,  on  which  the  sliced  meat  is  laid,  and  smoke-fres 
are  made  underneath.  This  duty  was  soon  perform- 
ed. We  now  began  to  look  about  us,  and  discuss  the 
subject  of  our  return  to  the  army,  which  we  had,  be- 
fore this  time,  persuaded  ourselves  we  should  meet  at 
this  place.  The  non-appearance  of  the  army,  and 
our  distress  induced  a  conclusion  that  we  were  desert- 
ed and  abandoned  to  a  diastrous  fate,  the  inevitable 
result  of  which  would  be  a  sinking  into  eternity  for 
want  of  food  ;  for  though  we  might  have  killed  more 
deer,  the  vigor  of  our  bodies  was  so  reduced  that  we 
were  convinced  that  that  kind  of  food  could  not  re- 
store us  to  our  wonted  energy,  and  enable  iis  to  per- 
form so  rugged  and  long  a  march  as  that  to  the  fron- 
tiers of  Maine.  The  notion  of  navigating  the  riv- 
er was  scouted  as  a  fallacy,  because  we  did  not  pos- 
sets a  sufficient  degree  of  bodily  force  to  bear  the  ca- 


!';li 


j" 


I.  r 


i  i 


|. 


I 


1.1 


l\i 


iijim^m^  I " . jaL~Jfc«rtftf^W,  < 


■  ^■o>*^-— .-  .■a,.>.y*.., 


il 


t; 


1 


i 


46 


Campaign 


noes  across  the  twelve-mile  carrying-place.  As,  in 
the  case  of  the  retreat  of  the  army,  we  had  deter- 
mined to  follow,  it  became  necessary  to  finis^h  the 
jerkinsf,  which  would  take  six  days,  to  make  it  the 
more  portable  for  our  feebleness,  and  preservableif  we 
should  have  wet  weather  on  the  march.  It  was  fur- 
ther concluded,  "That  Lieutenant  Steele,  Getchel 
and  Wheeler,  should  immediately  proceed  on  foot  a- 
cross  tfieTwi^ve  mile  carrying-place,  to  meet  the  ar- 
my. If  they  did  meet  it,  that  they  should  return  to 
us  with  supplies  by  the  end  of  three  days,  but  in  all 
events  to  return."  Having  no  doubt  of  the  honor  of 
those  gentlemen,  the  rest  of  the  party  remained, 
cheerfully  jerking  the  meat.  Now  we  experienced 
the  full  extent  of  a  new  species  of  starving.  Hav- 
ing neither  bread,  nor  salt,  nor  fat  of  any  kind,  ev- 
ery day  we  remained  here  we  became  more  and  more 
weak  and  emaciated.  We  had  plenty  of  meat,  both 
fresh  and  dried,  of  which  we  ate  four,  five  and  .six 
times  a  day,  in  every  tihape  we  had  the  means  of 
dressing  it.  Though  we  gorged  the  stomach,  the  ap- 
petite was  unsatiated.  Something  like  a  diarrhoea 
ensued,  which  conirihuted  to  the  imbecility  of  our 
bodies.  Bear's  oil  would  have  made  our  venison  sa- 
voury, but  such  an  animal  as  a  bear,  we  had  not  as 
yet  seen  in  all  our  wanderings.  On  the  evening  of 
the  fourth  day,  we  looked  out  for  our  absent  compan- 
ions with  much  heartfelt  anxiety.  They  came  not. 
On  the  morning  of  the  next  day,  we  consulted  up- 
on the  question  whether  we  should  follow  the  army. 
A  majority  voted  for  staying  a  few  days  longer  to 
complete  the  jerking.  To  shew  you  the  great  bodi- 
ly weakness  we  were  brought  to,  it,  may  be  proper  to 
relate  the  following  anecdote  as  more  evincive  of  the 
fact  than  any  other  method  which  might  be  adopt- 
ed, to  bring  it  fully  to  your  minds.    Sergeant  Boyd, 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


47 


e.    As,  in 
had  deter- 
finUh  the 
ake  it  the 
vableif  we 
It  was  fur- 
e,  Getchel 
I  on  foot  a- 
leet  the  ar- 
d  return  to 
,  but  in  all 
le  honor  of 
remained, 
xperienced 
ng.     Uav- 
f  kind,  ev- 
e  and  more 
meat,  both 
^e  and  .six 
I  means  of 
ich,theap- 
a  diarrhoea 
ility  of  our 
venison  sa- 
had  not  as 
evening  of 
ntconipan- 
came  not. 
nsulted  up- 
1  the  army. 
3  longer  to 
great  bodi- 
)e  proper  to 
icive  of  the 
L  be  adopt- 
eant  Boyd, 


(the  strongest  and  stoutest  man  of  the  party,  and  per- 
haps of  the  army,)  and  myself,  taking  our  armw,  de- 
scended into  a  canoe,  and  passed  the  river,  to  the 
mouth  of  the  creek  before  mentioned,  intending  to  go 
to  the  next  pond  on  the  carrying-place,  there  to  meet, 
as  we  hoped,  the  advance  of  the  array.  We  stag- 
gered along  through  the  plain,  falling  every  nowand 
then,  if  our  toes  but  touched  a  twig  or  tuft  of  grass. 
Thus  going  forward,  we  arrived  at  the  edge  of  the 
moss  l)og,  which  is  mentioned  as  we  ascendf:d  the  riv- 
er, and  which  is  one  and  a  half,  or  two  miles  from 
the  pond.  Here  my  worthy  friend  Boyd,  unable  to 
proceed,  sunk  down  upon  a  log.  My  seat,  in  tears 
of  excruciating  grief,  was  <aken  beside  Kim,  endeav- 
oring to  infuse  comfort  and  courage  into  his  manly 
mind.  It  was  in  vain.  The  debility  of  his  body  had 
disarmed  his  courageous  soul.  Every  art  in  my  pow- 
er was  exerciifsd  to  induce  h'm  to  pass  the  bog.  He 
would  not  listen  to  me  on  the  subject.  Melancholy, 
of  the  desperate  kind,  oppressed  me.  Convinced  that 
the  army  had  retreated,  a  prognostication  fastened  on 
my  mind,  that  we  should  all  die  of  mere  debility  in 
these  wilds.  We  sat  an  hour.  At  length  we  agreed 
to  return  to  our  camp,  though  it  was  yet  early  in  the 
afternoon.  Our  companions  were  pleased  to  see  us, 
thinking  our  coming  so  soon  indicated  good  news, 
but  a  gloom  of  desperation  followed.  As  a  last  ef- 
fort to  save  our  lives,  we  all  agreed  to  pass  the  river 
next  morning  and  follow  the  army,  which  we  were 
now  assured  had  returned  to  Fort  Western.  Each 
one  put  into  his  knapsack  as  much  of  our  mawkish 
iotxl  as  he  could  conveniently  carry. 

Oct.  17» — We  started  early,  passed  the  river,  but 
from  mere  inability  to  carry  our  canoes,  left  them  be- 
hind us,  at  the  bank  of  the  creek,  marching  forward, 
as  liGist  as  our  feeble  limbs  could  arry  us.    When  we 


^ 


I 


48  rU    CAMPAIGN  ^^//v 

came  to  the  log  where  Boyd  had  seated  himself,  we 
were  filled  with  extatic  joy  to  observe  on  the  far  side 
of  the  bog,  a  party  of  pioneers  forming  a  causeway 
for  the  passage  of  the  army.  Om-  strength  redoub- 
led— we  passed  the  bog  with  considerable  speed.  Our 
wan  and  haggard  faces,  and  meagre  bodies,  and  the 
monstrous  beards  of  my  companions,  who  had  neg- 
lected to  carry  a  razor  with  them,  seemed  to  strike  a 
deep  sorrow  into  the  hearts  of  the  pioneers.  They 
gave  us  a  little  of  their  food,  but  what  exhilerated  us 
more,  was  the  information  that  Major  Febiger,  with 
the  advanced  guard,  lay  at  the  next  pond.  We  ur- 
ged forward  as  fast  as  we  could.  Arriving  at  his 
fire  a  little  before  my  company,  an  incapacity  to 
stand  compelled  me  to  sit.  Febiger,  in  a  hurried 
manner,  asked  who  we  were )  and  from  whence  we 
came  ?  A  few,  words  explained  the  mystery,  and  the 
cause  of  our  distress.  A  glistening  tear  stood  in  this 
brave  soldier's  eye.  As  it  were  with  a  sudden  and 
involuntary  motion  and  much  tenderness,  he  handed 
me  his  wooden  canteen,  (which  contained  the  last 
spirits  in  the  army,)  from  me  it  passed  lo  Cunning- 
ham, who  had  just  come  up,  the  most  ghastly  and 
way-worn  figure  in  nature  ;  from  him  it  went  round 
lo  the  rest,  who  arrived  gradually,  but  slowly.  The 
heart  of  Febiger  seemed  overjoyed  at  the  relief  he 
had  and  could  afford  us.  The  liquor  had  restored 
our  fainting  spirits,  but  this  was  not  enough  for  his 
generosity  to  exhibit.  He  requested  us  to  take  seats 
around  the  fire  and  wait  the  boiling  of  his  kettle, 
which  was  well  replenished  with  pork  and  dumplins. 
This  was  all  devoted  to  our  use,  accompanied  by  an 
open  heartedness  and  the  kindest  expressions  of  in- 
terest for  our  sufiferings,  and  regard  for  our  perseve- 
rance in  our  duty  as  military  men.  This  meal  to  all 
fd  ua  aeeioed  a  renewal  of  life.    It  was  accustomed 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


limself,  we 
he  far  side 
.  causeway 
^ih  redoub- 
gpeed.  Our 
es,  and  the 
3  had  neg- 
to  strike  a 
jrs.     They 
hilerated  us 
iiger,  with 
I.     We  ur- 
nng  at  his 
capacity  to 
L  a  hurried 
whence  we 
;ry,  and  the 
»tood  in  this 
ludden  and 
,  he  handed 
ed  the  last 
0  Cunning- 
ghastly  and 
went  round 
►wly.    The 
he  relief  he 
ad  restored 
ugh  for  his 
3  take  seats 
r  his  kettle, 
d  dumplins. 
ainied  by  an 
3sions  of  in- 
our  persevc- 
18  meal  to  all 
accustomed 


food.  Febiger,  ere  this  time,  was  unknown  to  us, 
but  in  the  process  of  events  he  acquired  our  esteem 
and  entire  confidence,  as  a  friend  and  a  real  soldier. 
Our  more  immediate  and  intimate  friends  were  still 
beyond  the  pond,  biit  coming  forward.  By-and-by 
Morgan  came — large,  a  commanding  aspect,  and 
stentorian  voice.  He  wore  leggins  and  a  cloth,  in  the 
Indian  style.  His  thighs,  which  were  exposed  to 
view,  appeared  to  have  been  lacerated  by  the  thorns 
and  bushes.  He  knew  our  story  from  Wheeler  and 
Steele,  and  greeted  us  kindly.  We  now  found  our- 
selves at  home,  in  the  bosom  of  a  society  of  brave 
men,  with  whom  we  were  not  only  willing,  but  anx- 
ious to  meet  the  brunts  of  war.  This  was  the  26th 
day  we  had  been  absent  from  the  army.  In  the  eve- 
ning we  resumed  our  stations  in  our  respective  mes- 
ses. It  was  now  fully  explained  to  us  why  Steele  had 
not  brought  us  relief.  He  had  met  the  advance  of 
(he  army  on  the  Kennebeck  side  of  the  carrying- 
place.  Always  alert  and  indefatigable  when  any  du- 
ty was  to  be  done,  the  labors  of  the  men  in  carrying 
boats,  barrels  of  flour,  6cc.  were  intolerable,  and  re- 
quired the  strength  and  athletic  exertions  of  the  offi- 
cers, and  particularly  such  as  Lieutenant  Steele,  to 
enliven  them  in  their  duty.  In  bearing  a  heavy  bur- 
den  over  rugged  ground,  he  fell  and  sprained  or  dis^ 
located  his  shoulder.  Notwithstanding  this  accident, 
he  had  sent  us  supplies,  but  the  bearers,  either  from 
cowardice  or  other  cause,  never  came  near  us.  Getch- 
el  and  Wheeler  had  other  duties  to  attend  to<#^they 
were  under  immediate  command.  We  also(iii:icovor^i 
ed  from  Steele  that  Clifton  and  M'Konkey,  sodh  af- 
ter we  left  them,  had  deserted  their  post,  carrying  all 
whey  could  on  their  backs,  to  meet  the  army.  The 
dastardly  vices  of  the  latter  prevailing  over  the  known 
courage,  good  sense,  aod  sedate  age  of  the  former. 

6 


:^M 


m 
ft 


.11 


81 

nf 


J'-'M 


«r 


ill 


111 


it 


! 


in 


60 


CAMPAIdl* 


I 


Nothing  occurs  to  me  contributory  to  the  fame  of 
these  men  afterwards.  The  first  was  an  invaUd,  the 
latter  a  caitiff  coward.  In  your  scanning  the  char- 
acters of  men,  which  you  will  be  compelled  to  do  in 
your  own  defence  in  the  course  of  your  lives,  a  good 
general  rule  for  you  to  adopt  will  be :  That  whether 
you  be  in  the  company  of  military  men,  scholars, 
men  of  the  law,  legislators,  &c.  &c.  in  short,  persons 
of  any  profession  or  class,  if  youfind  a  person  very 
loquacious — dragging  the  conversation  to  himself, 
and  m  a  dictatorial  way  taking  the  lead  ;  bqt  more 
especially  if  he  talks  of  his  own  prowess,  deep  read- 
ing, causes  he  has  gained,  eloquence,  d&c.  &.c.  but 
stiU  more  so  if  the  party  boasts  of  wealth  and  ances- 
try— in  the  first  instance,  without  hesitation,  set  such 
a  person  down  in  your  memory  as  a  baggadocio,  a 
mere  puffer,  until  you  can  inquire  further  for  proof  to 
the  contrary.  There  are,  to  my  knowledge,  excep- 
tions to  this  general  rule,  but  few  in  number,  partic- 
ularly in  the  military  class. 
A'f\'(  October  I8th. — Now  we  again  turned  our  faces  to- 
wards the  north.  Having  rejoined  our  messmates, 
enjoying  substantial  food  and  warm  tents,  we  soon 
recruited  a  good  degree  of  strength,  and  our  former 
gaiety  of  temper  and  hilarity  returned  to  U3.  We  ac- 
companied the  army,  and  became  guides  in  minute 
matters ;  for  the  paths  and  carrying-places  we  had 
sufficiently  developed  for  Captain  Ay  res  and  his  pi- 
oneers, by  strong  blazing  and  snagging  of  the  bush- 
es, soihat  he  might  proceed  in  perfect  security,  in  the 
perl^j^ance  of  the  duties  of  his  office.  '^J'he  thiee 
companies  of  riflemen  under  Morgan  took  up  our  old 
encamping  ground  on  the  Dead  River,  during  the  af- 
ternoon of  the  following  day. 

Oct.  19th  and  2()th. — Here  we  lay  encamped  for 
several  days,  wailing  the  arrival  of  the  rear  of  the 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


51 


lie  fame  of 
invalid,  the 

the  char- 
ed to  do  in 
/es,  a  good 
at  whether 
,  scholars, 
ort,  persons 
erson  very 
to  himself, 

bqt  more 
deep  read- 
':  dec.  but 
and  ances- 
>n.  set  such 
gadocio,  a 
for  prciof  to 
ffe,  excep- 
)erj  partic- 

11  r  faces  to- 
iiessmates, 

we  soon 
)ur  former 
Weac- 
in  minute 
8  we  had 
id  his  pi- 

the  bush- 

ity,in  the 
J'he  thiee 
upmirold 

ng  the  af- 

mped  for 
ar  of  the 


New  England  troops :  they  came  up  hourly.  Du- 
ring our  stay  here,  it  pleased  me  internally  to  observe 
that  Morgan  adopted  certain  rules  of  discipline,  ab- 
solutely necessary  to  the  state  we  were  in,  but  dis- 
cordant with  the  wild  and  extravagant  notions  of  our 
private  men.  Powder  and  ball,  particularly  the  first, 
to  us  riflemen,  was  of  the  first  consequence.  At 
Cambridge  the  horns  belonging  lo  the  men  were 
filled  with  an  excellent  rifle  powder — which,  when 
expended,  could  not  be  replaced  in  Canada  by  any 
powder  of  an  equal  quality.  The  men  had  got  into 
a  habit  of  throwing  it  away  at  every  trifling  object. 
Upon  our  return  from  the  Chaudiere,  this  circum- 
stance raised  disgust  in  us  :  for  we  had  been  stuclf- 
ously  careful  of  our  ammunition,  never  firing  but  at 
some  object  that  would  give  us  the  means  of  subsis- 
tence. Though  we  drew  our  loads  every  morning, 
from  a  fear  of  the  dampness  of  the  atmosphere,  yet 
the  ball  and  powder  were  never  lost.  Our  bullet^ 
screws  brought  the  first  out  with  ease,  and  it  was  re- 
cast: the  latter  was  carefully  relumed  to  the  horn, 
where,  if  moist,  it  soon  became  dry.  Morgan's  prin- 
cipal rules  were,  that  there  should  be  no  straggling 
from  the  camp  ;  and  no  firing  without  authoritative 
permission.  Reasonable  as  these  injimctions  were, 
they  were  opposed.  Being  young,  and  my  friend 
Steele  absent,  a  whisper  of  approbation  did  not  fall 
from  me,  which,  in  my  subordinate  station,  might 
have  been  indelicate.  \t  was  left  '.o  the  energy  of 
Morgan's  mind,  and  he  conquered.  During  our  rest- 
ing here,  Arnold,  accompanied  by  Steele  and  some 
excellent  boatmen,  proceeded  to  the  head  of  the  riv- 
er. The  rifle  corps  preceded  the  main  body  of  the 
army,  both  by  land  and  water.  The  boats,  which 
were  heavily  laden  with  baggage  and  provisions,  took 
in  no  more  men  than  were  necessary  to  navigate 


m 

ill 


'HM 


"■i^--- 


n 


CAMPAIGN 


I! 


them,  that  is,  three  to  a  boat.  The  remainder  of  (he 
army  marched  by  land,  the  river  being  generally  their 
guide. 

Here,  my  dear  children,  permit  me  to  give  you  the 
genuine  character  of  my  friend  General  Simpson, 
whom  you  all  know  personally.  He  was  among  iity 
earliest  and  best  friends.  He  was  then  as  apparent- 
ly eccentric  as  he  is  at  this  lime  :  there  is  no  obvious 
difference  in  his  manner  between  the  two  periods. — 
As  an  officer,  he  was  always  active  and  keen  in  the 

Eerfoimance  of  his  duty.  Hard  was  the  service  ;  but 
is  heart  was  soft  to  his  friend.  Simpson  invited  his 
messmate  aboard  his  boat,  being  siill  somewhat  fee- 
ble from  our  late  privations  ;  the  invitation  was  glad- 
ly accepted. 

Oct.  21st. — We  embarked.  Having  Lieut.  Simp- 
eon  for  a  steersman,  and  John  Tidd  and  Jas.  Dough- 
erty as  boatmen,  we  went  gaily  on  ibr  that  and  the 
next  day  :  able  to  lead  any  boat  in  the  river. 

Oct.  22d. — On  the  evening  of  this  second  day, 
we  encamped  on  a  bank  eight  or  nine  feet  high,  at  a 
place  where  we  had  rested  when  ascending  the  river 
the  first  time.  In  the  evening  a  most  heavy  torrent 
of  tain  fell  upon  us,  which  continued  all  night.  Hav- 
ing now  a  good  tent  over  our  heads,  the  inc(^veni- 
ence  was  not  much  felt.  We  slept  soundly.  To- 
wards morning  we  were  awakened  by  the  water  that 
flowed  in  upon  us  from  the  river.  We  fled  to  high 
ground. 

Oct.  23d. — When  morning  came,  the  river  present- 
ed a  most  frightful  aspect :  it  had  risen  at  least  eight 
feet,  and  flowed  with  terrifying  rapidity.  None  but 
the  most  strong  and  active  boatmen  enteied  the  boats. 
The  army  marched  on  the  south  side  of  the  river, 
making  large  circuits  to  avoid  the  overflowings  of  the 
iotervale  or  bottom  lands.    This  was  oue  of  the  most 


i 


hi 
th 
ini 
est 

us 
th 

th 


AGAINST  QUfefiEC. 


53 


VI 


ainderofthe 
nerally  their 

give  you  the 
ai  Simpson, 
s  among  my 
IS  apparent- 
i  no  obvious 

0  periods. — 
keen  in  the 
service ;  but 
» invited  his 
mew  hat  fee- 
n.  wasglad- 

jieut.  Simp- 
^as.  Dough- 
hat  and  the 
ver. 

iecond  day, 
t  high,  at  a 
ig  the  river 
avy  torrent 
ight.  Hav- 

inci#kveni- 
ndly.     To- 

water  I  hat 
led  to  high 

jer  present- 
least  eiglit 
None  but 

1  the  boats, 
the  river, 

ings  of  the 
of  the  roost 


fatiguing  marches  we  had  as  yet  performed,  though 
the  distance  was  not  great  in  a  direct  hne.  But  hav- 
ing no  path,  and  being  necessiated  to  climb  the  steep- 
est hills,  and  that  without  food,  for  we  took  none  with 
us,  thinking  the  boats  would  be  near  us  all  day  ;  in 
the  evening  we  arrived  at  the  fall  of  four  feet,  which 
was  mentioned  when  ascending  the  river.  Alas  !  all 
the  boats  of  the  army  were  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  river.  The  pitch  of  the  fall  made  a  dreadful 
noise,  and  the  current  ran  with  immense  velocity. 
We  sat  down  on  the  bank  sorely  pinched  by  hunger, 
looking  wistfully  towards  our  friends  beyond  the  tor- 
rent, who  were  in  possession  of  all  the  provisions, 
tents,  and  camp  equipage,  convinced  that  the  most 
adventurous  boatmen  would  not  dare  the  passage  for 
the  sake  of  accommodating  any  of  us.  We  were, 
however,  mistaken.  There  were  two  men,  and  only 
two,  who  had  skill  and  courage  to  dare  it.  Need 
Lieutenant  Simpson  on  an  occasion  like  this,  be  na- 
med? He,  accompanied  by  John  Tidd,  entered  his 
empty  boat.  What  skill  in  boaimanship  !  what  ap- 
titude with  the  paddle  was  here  exhibited  !  The  prin- 
cipal body  of  the  water  ran  over  the  middle  of  the 
fall,  and  created  a  foanun^  and  impetuous  torrent,  in 
some  iNieasure  resembling,  at  this  particular  time,  that 
of  the  Oswego  falls,  which  had  been  known  to  me 
ere  this.  The  river  was  about  150  or  200  yards  in 
breadth,  counting  on  the  increase  of  water  by  the 
raius^  The  force  of  the  central  current  nalurally 
formed  considerable  eddies  at  each  side  of  the  river, 
close  under  the  pitch.  Simpson  now  disclosed  his  a- 
mazing  skill.  Though  there  was  an  eddy,  even  that 
was  frightful,  he  came  by  its  mean  nearly  under  the 
pitch,  and  trying  to  obtain  an  exact  start,  failed. 
The  stream  forced  his  boat  down  the  river,  but  he  re- 
covered and  brought  it  up.    Now  we,  who  were  trem- 

6* 


t  : 


if 


f: 


it:<- 


■^'- 1 


'  'us 


r 


^- 


im 


tsasmmitm^iitfi 


'iriiiriiiT'Win— 


'It  ■ 
'i 


W     ■    I 


tf     i 


lull 


I'" 


!!lh 


M 


.,    CAMPAIGN     ,.v 


bling  for  the  fate  of  our  friend,  and  anxious  for  our 
own  accommodation,  began  to  fear  be  might  be 
drawn  under  the  pitch.  Gtuick,  abnost  in  a  moment, 
Simpson  was  with  us.  He  called  in  his  loud  voice  to 
Robert  Pixon,  James  Old,  (a  messniate,)  and  myself 
ix)  enter  the  boat.  We  entered  immediaiely.  He 
pushed  off;  attempting  the  start  by  favor  of  the  hith- 
er eddy,  which  was  the  main  tiling,  we  failed.  Re- 
turning to  the  shore,  we  were  assailed  by  a  numer- 
ous band  of  soldiers,  hungry  and  anxious  to  be  with 
their  companions.  Simpson  told  them  he  could  not 
carry  more  with  safety,  and  would  return  for  them. 
Henry  M'Annely,  a  tall  Irishman,  who  could  not  from 
experience  cpmprehend  the  danger,  jumped  into  the 
boat;  he  was  followed  by  three  or  four  other  incon- 
siderate men.  The  countenance  of  Simpson  chan- 
ged ;  his  soul  and  mine  were  intimate.  ''  O  God,'* 
said  he,  "  men  we  shall  all  die."  They  would  not 
recede.  Again  we  approached  the  pitch  ;  it  was  hor- 
rible. The  batteaux  swam  deep,  almost  ungoverna- 
ble by  the  paddle.  Attempting  again  to  essay  the 
departure,  we  failed.  The  third  trial  was  made;  it 
succeeded.  As  lightning  we  darted  athwart  the  riv- 
er. Simpson,  with  his  paddle,  governed  the  stern. 
The  worthy  Tidd  in  the  bow.  Dixon  and  IHyself, 
our  guns  stuck  m  the  railing  of  the  batteaux,  but 
without  paddles,  sat  in  the  stern  next  to  Simpson. 
Mr.  Old  was  in  the  bow  near  Tidd.  Henry  M'An- 
nally  was  adjoining  Mr.  Old.  The  other  men  sat 
between  the  stern  and  bow.  Simpson  called  to  the 
met)  in  the  bow  to  lay  hold  of  the  birch  bushes :  the 
boat  struck  the  shore  forcibly  ;  they  caught  hold,  M'- 
Annaly  in  particular,  (this  was  in  the  tail  of  the  ed- 
dy,) but  like  children,  their  holds  slipped  at  the  only 
9pot  where  we  could  have  been  saved  ;  for  the  boat 
bad  beeo  judiciously  aad  safely  brought  up.    Letting 


i 


s 


.% 


ms  for  our 
might  be 
a  moment, 
)ud  voice  to 
and  myself 
aiely.  He 
of  the  hiih- 
ailed.  Re- 
^  a  numer- 
\  to  be  with 
s  couid  not 
for  them, 
lid  not  from 
id  into  the 
her  incon- 
pson  chan- 
"0  God,'» 
would  not 
it  was  hor« 
mgoverna- 
essay  the 
)  made ;  it 
irt  the  riv- 
the  stern, 
id  CHyself, 
.eaux,  but 
Simpson, 
iry  M'An- 

men  sat 
led  to  the 
jshes :  the 
t  hold,  M'- 
of  the  ed- 
t  the  only 
'  the  boat 

Lettiog 


AGAINST  QUEBEC.  H 

go  their  hdds,  the  bow  came  round  to  the  stream, 
and  the  stern  struck  the  shore.  Simpson,  Dixon  and 
myself,  now  caught  the  bushes,  but  being  by  this 
time  thrown  into  the  current,  the  strength  of  the  wa- 
ter made  the  withes  as  so  many  straws  in  our  hands. 
The  stem  again  swung  round:  the  bow  cameagaia 
ashore.  Mr.  Old,  Tidd,  and  M'Annaly,  and  the  rest, 
sprung  to  the  land  to  save  their  lives.  Doing  this  at 
our  cost,  their  heels  forced  the  boat  across  (he  current. 
Though  we  attempted  to  steady  it,  the  boatswagged. 
In  a  moment  after,  at  thirty  feet  off  shore,  being 
broad  side  to  the  current,  it  turned,  borne  under,  in 
spite  of  all  our  force,  by  the  fury  of  the  stream.  The 
boat  upsetting,  an  expression,  as  going  into  the  wa- 
ter, fell  from  me,  "Bimpson,  we  are  going  to  iieav- 
en."  My  /all  was  head-foremost.  Simpson  came 
after  me :  his  heels,  at  the  depth  of  fifteen  feet  or 
more,  were  upon  my  neck  and  head,  and  those  grind- 
ing on  the  gravel.  We  rose  nearly  together,  your  fa- 
ther first — my  friend  followed.  The  art  of  swim- 
ming, in  which  1  thought  myself  an  adept,  was  tri- 
ed, but  it  was  a  topsy-turvy  business ;  the  force  of 
the  water  threw  me  often  heels-over- head. 

In  the  course  of  this  voyage,  after  a  few  hundred 
yards,  Simpson  was  at  my  side,  but  the  force  of  the 
streaiTi  prevented  the  exertion  of  swimming;  yet  the 
impetuosity  of  the  current  kept  us  up.  It  drove  us 
toward  the  other  side  of  (he  river,  against  a  long  ridge 
of  perpendicular  rocks  of  great  extent.  Luckily  in 
the  course  of  some  hundred  yards  the  current  chan- 
ged, and  brought  us  perforce  to  the  north  side  of  the 
river.  Floating  along  with  my  head  just  above  wa- 
ter, (prayers  in  sincere  penitence  having  been  utter- 
ed,) a  boat's  crew  of  the  eastern  men  handed  me  a 
pole.  It  was  griped  as  by  the  hand  of  death — but 
griped)  the poto remained  tome.    Tho  itreogth  of 


'..1' 

'Al 


il 


tl'l' 


*! 


Hi!! 


i$ 


*>•    CAMt»AlGJ^  ^^ 


the  current  was  such  that  the  boat  would  inevitably 
have  upset,  if  the  boatman  had  kept  his  hold.  A 
glance  of  the  eye  informed  me  that  my  companion 
in  misfortune  had  shared  the  same  fate.  Resigned 
into  the  bosom  of  my  Saviour,  my  eyes  became  clo- 
sed ;  the  death  appeared  to  me  to  be  a  hard  one;  sen- 
sibility in  a  great  degree  forsook  me.  Driving  with 
the  current,  some  hundreds  of  yards  more,  the  most 
palpable  feeling  recollected,  was  the  striking  of  my 
breast  against  a  root  or  hard  substance.  My  head 
came  above  water.  Breathing  ensued  ;  at  the  same 
moment  Simpson  raised  his  head  out  of  the  water, 
his  gold  laced  hat  on  it,  crying  "Oh  !"  Neither  of 
us  could  have  crept  out ;  we  should  have  there  died, 
but  for  the  assistance  of  Edward  Cavanaugh,  an  l- 
rishman,  an  excellent  soldier,  who  was  designated  in 
the  company  by  the  appellation  of  "  Honest  Ned." 
Passing  from  the  lower  part  of  the  river,  he  happen- 
ed to  come  to  the  eddy  at  the  moment  my  breast 
struck.  He  cried  out,  *  Lord,  Johnny  !  is  this  you?' 
and  instantly  dragged  me  out  of  the  water.  I3imp- 
son  imntediately  appearing,  he  did  him  the  same  ser- 
vice. Lying  on  the  earth  |>erhaps  twenty  minutes, 
the  water  pouri^ig  from  my  mouth,  a  messenger  from 
the  camp  came  to  rouse  us.  Roused,  we  weftt  in. 
But  all  eyes  looked  out  for  Dixon,  all  hearts  were 
wailini?  for  his  loss.  It  was  known  he  could  not 
swim,  but  none  of  us  could  recollect  whether  he  had 
dropped  into  the  water  or  had  adhered  to  the  boat. 
After  a  while  we  had  the  inexpressible  pleasure  of 
Dixon  in  our  company.  He  had  stuck  to  the  side  of 
the  boat,  which  lodged  on  a  vast  pile  of  drift  wood 
some  miles  below,  and  in  this  way  he  was  saved.  Ar- 
riving at  the  camp,  our  friends  had  a  large  fire  pre-^ 
pared,  particularly  for  our  accommodation  ;  heat,  af* 
ier  Buch  an  occurreace,  is  most  agreeable.    My  iwO 


1 


er 
M« 
or 
cat 


:iit 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


•7 


3  inevitably 

is  hold.     A 

companion 

Resigned 
)ecame  do- 
id  one;  sen- 
riving  with 
e,  tiie  most 
ing  of  my 

My  head 
at  the  same 
the  water, 
Neither  of 
1  there  died, 
High,  an  1- 
3signated  in 
►nest  Ned." 
he  happen- 
my  breast 
s  this  you?' 
er.  Simp- 
le same  ser- 
y  minutes, 
jenger  from 
;  went  in. 
learts  were 

could  not 
her  he  had 
,0  the  boat, 
pleasure  of 

the  side  of 
drift  wood 
saved.  Ar* 
It  fire  pre^ 

heat,  af* 

My  iwd 


friends  in  distress,  whose  clothing  was  principally 
woolen,  felt  none  of  my  private  disaster.  My  leath- 
er breeches  attached  closely  and  coldly  to  the  skin. 
Mtxlesiy  prohibited  a  disclosure,  l^he  sense  of  pain 
or  inconvenience  which  was  observed  by  my  seniors, 
caused  an  inquiry.  Immediately  the  breeches  were 
off  and  stuck  upon  a  pole  to  dry.  Simpson  was  so 
much  .exhilarated  by  our  escape,  that,  seated  upon  a 
stump,  he  sung  *^  Plato"  in  great  glee.  It  became  a 
favorite  with  us.  During  all  this  time,  perhaps  till 
one  or  two  o'clock,  my  breeches  were  in  my  hand  al- 
most in  continued  friction.  The  laugh  of  the  corn- 
pa  tiv  'VB9  against  me,  but  it  was  borne  stoically. 

'i".  f  Mowing  morning.  (Oct.  24,)  presented  tome 
man^  uifficuiiies:  to  be  sure  my  horn,  with  a  pound 
of  powder,  and  my  pouch,  with  seventy  bullets,  weie 
unharmed  by  the  water,  though  around  my  neck  in 
the  course  of  our  swimming:  yet  I  had  lost  my  knap- 
sack, my  hat,  and  my  most  precious  rifle.  Awaking, 
the  world  appeared  to  be  a  wild  waste.  Eisarmed, 
my  insignificance  pressed  strongly  on  my  mind;  dis- 
honor seemed  to  follow  of  course.  Without  the  ar- 
mour of  defence^  men  and  nations  aie  mere  autom- 
atons, liable  to  be  swayed  by  the  beck  of  power,  and 
subject  to  the  hand  of  oppression.  Young  as  your 
father  was,  his  soul  was  oppret-sed.  To  return  wiih 
the  invalids  was  dreadful,  and  without  arm^^  he  could 
not  proceed.  Comfort  came  to  me  in  the  sliape  of 
Lieutenant,  now  General  Nichols,  then  of  Hendricks'. 
He  had  two  hats — he  presented  me  one:  but  what 
was  more  to  my  purpose,  he,  or  General  Simpson,  in- 
formed me  that  some  of  the  invalids  wished  to  dis- 
pose of  their  rifles  With  the  assistance  of  Nichols 
and  Simpson,  a  bargain  was  struck  with  a  person 
called  William  Reynolds,  or  Rannels,  of  our  compa- 
ny, who  was  miserably  sick,  and  returned  in  the  boati. 


I 

f 


istsusegieiimsaam 


'■^  r 


I   til 


iiji 


;l!! 


.mil    i 


.68 


CAMPAIGN 


Money  was  out  of  the  question.  An  order  upon  my 
father,  dated  at  this  place,  for  the  sum  of  twelve  dol- 
lars, was  accepted,  and  afterwards  honorably  paid. 
This  gun  was  short,  and  carried  about  45  balls  to 
the  pound.  The  stock  was  much  shattered,  and  it 
was  worth  about  five  dollars.  Necessity  has  no  law. 
Never  did  a  gun,  ill  as  its  appearance  was,  shoot  with 
greater  certainty,  atid  where  the  ball  touched,  from 
its  size  it  was  sure  to  kill.  This  observation,  trifling 
as  it  may  seem,  ought  to  induce  government  to  adopt 
guns  of  this  size,  as  to  length  of  barrel  and  size  of 
balL  There  are  many  reasons  to  enforce  this  opin- 
ion. We  departed  from  this  place  without  any  ma- 
terial occurrence,  and  went  rapidly  forward. 

A  laughable  circumstance  ensued  on  the  morning 
of  the  27ih  of  October,  near  the  first  pond,  at  the 
head  of  the  river.  The  Virginians*,  (though  it  is  not 
probable  that  any  of  the  officers,  excepting  one,)  had 
taken  up  the  idea  that  they  were  our  superiors  in  ev- 
ery military  qualification,  and  ought  to  lead.  Hen- 
dricks, though  the  olde.<t  commit<8ioned  officer  of  the 
rifle  companies,  was  still  the  youngest  man.  For 
the  sake  of  peace  and  good  order,  he  h^d  not  assent- 
ed to,  but  merely  acquiesced  in  Morgan's  assumption 
of  the  command  of  our  corp«^,  as  the  elder  person. 
Those  men,  who  were  clever  and  bra\e,  were  just 
such  in  that  behalf,  as  we  were  ourselves:  but  a  Mr. 
Heaih,  who  was  blind  of  an  eye,  (a  Lieutenant  of 
Morgan's,)  seemed  to  think  that  all  others  were  infe- 
rior 10  those  of  the  "  ancient  dominion."  We  had  a 
hard  morning's  pushing^  when,  coming  up  to  the 
first  pond,  at  the  head  of  the  Dead  River,  we  saw 
Heath  before  us.  Observing  to  Simpson  ^  push  him,* 
we  went  up  with  much  force;  poor  Heath  laboring 
like  a  slave  to  keep  his  place.  Tidd  and  Dougherty 
felt  my  spirit  as  much  as  Simpson  did,    At  the  rac^ 


P 


AGAIKST  QUEtiEC. 


9d 


menl.  of  our  passing,  (for  we  went  up  on  the  outside 
of  him,  towards  the  middle  of  the  current,)  his  pole 
stuck,  upon  which  he  gave  us  a  few  hearty  curses. 
Entering  the  lake,  the  boat,  under  my  guidance  and 
information,  steered  directly  for  the  passage  to  the 
second  lake.  Humphreys,  (Morgan's  first  Lieuten- 
ant,) a  brave  anti  most  amiable  man,  whom  we  high- 
ly esteemed,  was  in  a  boat  far  to  the  left,  searching 
for  a  passage.  Simpson,  at  my  instance,  hailed  him 
to  come  on.  He  answered  there  was  no  passage 
there — alluding  to  the  place  we  steered  for.  Encour- 
aging my  friend  to  go  on,  the  deception  Humphreys 
lay  under  was  soon  discovered.  The  creek  was  deep 
and  serpentine,  and  the  country  around,  for  a  consid- 
erable distance,  a  flat.  A  log,  brought  down  by  the 
late  freshet,  lay  across  the  stream,  so  as  to  give  to  a 
stranger  the  idea  that  the  mouth  of  the  creek  was 
merely  a  nook  of  the  lake.  Setting  the  log  afloat, 
as  was  easily  done,  the  boat  proceeded. 

October  28.  Continuing  rapidly,  for  now  we  had 
no  carrying  nor  marking  of  trees,  there  being  plenty 
of  water,  the  evening  was  spent  at  the  foot  of  that 
mountain  called  the  Height  of  Land.  This  was  a 
day  of  severe  labor.  The  navigation  of  the  Chau- 
diere  waa  represented  by  us  to  Captains  Hendricks 
and  Smith,  as  very  dangerous  ;  and,  so  far  as  our  in- 
formation went,  it  was  so.  They,  to  save  their  men, 
concluded  to  carry  over  the  hill  but  one  boat  for  each 
of  their  companies.  This  resolution  was  easily  ac- 
complished. Morgan,  on  the  other  hand,  determin- 
ed to  carry  over  all  his  boats.  It  would  have  made 
your  heart  ache  to  view  the  intolerable  labors  of  his 
fine  fellows.  Some  of  them,  it  was  said,  had  the  flesh 
worn  from  their  shoulders,  even  to  the  bone.  By  this 
time  an  antipathy  had  arisen  against  Morgan,  as  too 
strict  a  disciplinarian. 


ill 


l\i' 


eo 


CAMPAIGN 


i'K 


'■    k 


On  the  following  day,  (October  29th,)  the  army, 
diisjointed  as  was  our  corps,  at  least  Hendricks'  and 
Smith's,  encamped  on  the  plain  on  the  bank  of  the 
Chaudiere.  Morgan  afterwards  took  his  station  near 
us.  Here  it  first  became  generally  known  thatEnos 
had  returned  from  the  twelve-mile  carrying-place  with 
500  men,  a  large  stock  of  provisions,  and  the  medi- 
einje  chest.*  It  damped  our  spirits  much,  but  our 
commander  conceived  it  was  better  to  proceed  than 
return.  We  were  about  a  hundred  miles  from  the 
frontier  of  Canada,  but  treble  that  distance  from  that 
of  New-England.  Our  provisions  were  exhausted. 
We  had  no  meat  of  any  kind.  The  flour  which  re- 
mained, so  far  as  I  know,  was  divided  fairly  and  e- 
qually  among  the  troops ;  the  riflemen  shared  Jive 
pints  of  flour  per  man.  During  the  night  and  the 
ensuing  morning,  the  flour  was  baked  into  five  cakes 
per  man,  under  the  ashes,  in  the  way  of  Indian 
bread. 

On  the  30th  of  October  we  set  forward.  The  men 
were  told  by  the  oflicers  ''  that  order  would  not  be  re- 
quired in  the  march — each  one  must  put  the  best  foot 
foremost."  The  first  day's  march  was  closed  by  a 
charming  sleep  on  fir-branches.  The  gentlemen  of 
our  mess  lay  together,  each  one  covering  himself  with 
his  blanket.    My  memory  does  not  serve  to  say  that 

*  As  soon  as  the  army  reached  the  source  of  Dead  River,  which  is 
ft  branch  of  the  Kennebec.  Colonel  Enos  received  orders  to  tsend 
bark  all  the  sick,  and  all  tlio<>e  to  v^hoin  it  wa;*  not  popsihle  to  fur- 
nish pmvinions.  But  thiA  officer,  embracing  the  occasion,  return- 
ed  with  all  his  detachment  to  the  camp  at  BosU>n  All  the  aimy, 
on  seeing  him  apfiear,  were  transported  with  indignation  against  a 
man  who  had  absndoned  his  own  companions  in  the  midst  of  dan- 
gerr«,  and  whose  desertion  might  occasion  the  miscarriage  of  tho 
whole  enlerprize.  He  was  brought  before  a  court  martial,  but  ac- 
quitted, in  consequence  of  the  acknowle<<ged  imp«itiiiibility  of  pro- 
curing Buslenftnca  io  tbMt  vviki  ftiid  dsMrt  plaCM,— Arfla'f  iiaw- 
hUiomtry  Wor, 


AGAINST  QUEBEC . 


61 


I  the  army, 
id  ricks'  and 
)ank  of  the 
station  near 
ro  that  Enos 
g-place  with 
d  the  niedi- 
ch,  but  our 
roceed  than 
es  from  the 
ice  fronn  that 
i  exhausted, 
ur  which  re- 
fairly  and  e- 
shared  five 
ght  and  the 
ito  five  cakes 
y  of  Indian 


. 


The  men 
uld  not  be  re- 
1 1  he  best  foot 
closed  by  a 
rentlemen  of 
liiiiself  with 
e  to  say  that 

River,  which  is 
oidora  to  send 
possible  to  fur- 
CftHion,  return- 

All  the  aimy, 
nation  against  a 
le  miHiit  of  dan* 

arriage  of  th« 
martial,  hut  ac- 
iwibility  of  pro* 

~B9tta*9  JU90' 


any  stir  was  made  by  any  one  during  the  night. 
Happening  to  be  the  first  that  awakened  in  the  morn- 
ing, the  blanket  was  suddenly  thrown  from  my  head, 
but  what  was  my  surprise  to  find  that  we  had  Iain 
under  a  cover  of  at  least  four  inches  of  snow.  We 
had  scarcely  risen  and  got  our  kettle  on  the  fire,  when 
our  drummer,  (we  had  no  bugles,)  John  Shaeffer, 
came  sli|)shod  to  our  fire,  complaining  that  his  cakes 
had  been  stolen  from  him.  A  more  wretched  figure 
was  scarcely  ever  beheld.  He  was  purblitid.  This 
circumstance,  though  he  was  my  townsman,  and  ac- 
quainted with  me  Irom  my  earliest  infancy,  was  yet 
unknown  to  me  until  this  last  march,  (ascending  the 
Dead  River,)  began.  My  station  in  the  line  of  march, 
which  was  in  the  single  file,  (or  Indian,  as  it  was 
then  called,)  was  next  to  the  Captain  ;  the  drummer 
followed.  Here  his  defect  was  most  effecttially  seen. 
Smith  was  lithsome  and  quick  of  foot,  as  we  were 
all,  except  poor  Shaeffer.  In  the  course  of  this  toil- 
some march  without  a  path,  many  deep  ravines  pre- 
sented themselves;  over  these  lay  many  logs,  fallen 
perhaps  many  years  before.  The  captain  took  the 
log,  preferring  it  to  a  descent  of  20  or  30  feet  into  the 
gulph  below,  which  at  times  was  quite  abrupt.  Fol- 
lowing me,  Shaeffer  would  frequently,  drum  and  all, 
tumble  headlong  into  the  abyss.  Flis  misfortunes  in 
this  way,  for  he  was  a  laughing  stock,  excited  con- 
tempt in  the  soldiers,  but  in  me  compassion.  He  of- 
ten required  my  aid.  On  this  latter  occasion  we  were 
boiling  a  bleary,  being  nothing  more  than  flour  and 
water,  and  that  without  salt.  At  my  solicitation,  the 
mess  gave  him  a  tin  cup  full  of  it.  He  received  from 
me  my  third  cake.  This  man,  blind,  starving,  and 
almost  naked,  bore  his  drum,  unharmed  by  all  its 
jostlings,  safely  to  Quebec,  while  many  hale  men  di- 
ed ia  the  wildernen. 

6 


^11 


ij 


i^l 


m 


62 


CAMPAIGN 


^i: 


This  morning,  November  1st,  breakfasting  on  our 
bleary,  we  took  up  the  line  of  march  through  a  flat 
and  boggy  ground.  About  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  we  ar- 
rived by  a  narrow  neck  of  land  at  a  niarsih  which 
was  appalling.  It  was  three  fourths  of  a  mile  over, 
and  covered  by  a  coat  of  ice  half  an  inch  thick.  At 
this  place  Simpson  concluded  to  hah  a  short  titne  for 
the  stragglers  or  maimed  of  Hendricks^  and  Smith's 
companies  to  come  up.  There  were  two  women  at- 
tached to  those  companies,  who  arrived  befoie  we 
couunenced  the  march.  One  was  the  wife  of  Ser-- 
geant  Giier,  a  large,  virtuous  and  respectable  woman. 
The  other  was  the  wife  of  a  private  of  our  company, 
a  man  who  lagged  on  every  occasion.  These  wo- 
men having  arrived,  it  was  presumed  that  all  our  par- 
ty were  up.  We  were  on  the  pf)int  of  entering  ihe 
marsh,  when  some  one  cried  out,  'Warner  is  not  here.' 
Another  said  he  had  sat  down,  sick,  under  a  tree,  a 
few  miles  back.  His  wife  begged  us  to  wait  a  short 
time,  and  with  tears  of  aifection  in  her  eyes,  ran  back 
to  her  htisband.  We  tarried  an  hour.  Thev  came 
not.  Entering  the  pond,  (Sitnpson  foremost,)  and 
breaking  the  ice  here  and  there  with  the  biits  of  our 
guns  and  feet,  as  occasion  required,  we  were  soon 
waist  deep  in  the  mud  and  water.  As  is  generally 
the  case  with  youths,  it  came  to  my  mind  that  a  bet- 
ter path  might  be  found  than  that  of  the  more  elder- 
ly guide.  Attempting  this,  the  water  .in  a  trice  cool- 
ing my  armpits,  made  me  gladly  return  into  the  file. 
Now  Mrs.  Grier  had  got  befijre  me.  My  mind  was. 
huinhled,  yet  asitonished,  at  the  exertions  of  this  good 
woman.  Her  clothes  more  than  wair^t  high,  she  wa- 
ded before  me.  to  firm  ground.  No  one.  so  long  as 
she  was  known  to  us,  dared  to  intimate  a  disrespect- 
ful idea  of  her.  Her  husband,  an  excellent  soldier, 
was  OQ  duty  in  Hendricks'  boat,  that  had  proceeded 


8U 

fro 
eel 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


n 


to  the  outlet  of  the  lake  with  Lieutenant  M'Cleland. 
Arriving  at  firm  ground,  and  wailing  again  for  our 
companions,  we  ihen  set  off,  and  in  a  march  of  sev- 
eral miles,  over  a  scrubby  and  flat  plain,  arrived  at  a 
river  flowing  from  the  east  into  the  Chaudiere  lake. 
This  we  passed  in  a  batteaux,  which  the  prudence  of 
Colonel  Arnold  had  stationed  here  for  our  accommo- 
dation  ;  otherwise  we  must  have  swam  the  stieam, 
which  was  wide  and  deep.  In  a  shori  time  we  came 
to  another  river  flowing  from  the  same  quarter,  still 
deeper  and  wider  than  the  former.  Here  we  found 
a  batteaux  under  the  supe<iniendenceof  Capt.  Dear- 
born, in  which  we  passed  the  river.  We  skirted  the 
river  to  its  mouth,  then  passed  along  the  margin  of  the 
lake  to  the  outlet  of  the  Cbaudierie,  where  we  encamp- 
ed with  a  heterogenous  mass  of  the  army.  It  was 
soon  perceived  that  the  French  term  Chaudiere  was 
most  aptly  applied  to  the  river  below  us.  Indeed  ev- 
ery part  of  it  that  came  under  our  view,  until  we  ar- 
rived at  the  first  house  in  Canada,  might  well  be 
termed  a  caldion  or  boiler,  which  is  the  import  of  its 
French  name.  It  is  remarkable  of  this  river,  and 
which  distinguished  it  from  all  others  I  had  seen,  that 
for  60  or  70  miles,  it  is  a  coruinued  rapid,  without  any 
apparent  gap  or  passage,  even  for  a  canoe.  Every 
boat  we  put  into  the  river  was  stove  in  one  part  or 
another.  Captain  Morgan  lost  all  his  boats,  and  the 
hfe  of  a  much  valued  soldier.  With  difliculty  he  sa- 
ved his  own  life  and  the  treasure  committed  to  his  care. 
Arnold,  accompanied  by  Steele,  John  M.  Taylor,  and 
a  few  others,  in  a  boat,  were  in  advance  of  the  ar- 
my ;  but  I  hey  were  obliged  to  take  to  the  land,  as  I 
subsequently  heard. 

On  the  itiornmg  of  the  2d  of  November,  we  set  off 
from  the  Chaudiere  lake,  and  hungered,  (as  to  my- 
self,) almoBt  to  death.    What  with  the  supplies  to 


■J  'J 


.■'^■3 


A3 


i*«?i 


CAMPAIGN 


Shaeffer,  and  my  own  appetite,  food  of  any  kind  had 
become  a  non-entity  with  me.  My  own  BufTerings, 
in  the  two  succeeding  marches,  from  particular  cau- 
ses, were  more  than  ordinarily  severe.  JNly  mocka- 
sins  had,  many  days  since,  been  worn  to  shreds  and 
cast  aside :  my  shoes,  though  they  had  been  well 
sewed  and  hitherto  stuck  together,  now  began  to  give 
way,  and  that  in  the  very  worst  part,  (ihe  upright 
seam  in  the  heel.)  For  one  to  save  his  life,  he  must 
keep  his  station  in  the  rank.  The  moment  hi:«  place 
was  lost,  as  natute  and  reason  dictate,  the  following 
soldier  assumed  his  place.  Thus,  once  thrown  out 
of  the  tile,  the  unfortunate  wretch  must  await  the 
passage  of  many  men,  until  a  place  towards  the  rear 
happens  to  open  for  his  admission.  This  explana- 
tion will  answer  some  questions  which  you  might  nat- 
urally put.  Why  did  you  not  sew  it  ?  Why  did 
you  not  iie  the  shoe  to  your  foot  ?  If  there  had  been 
awl,  thread,  and  strings  at  command,  (which  there 
were  not,  for  the  causes  above  stated,)  one  dared  not 
have  done  either,  as  the  probable  consequence  would 
ensue,  "Death  by  hunger  in  a  dreary  wilderness." 
Man,  when  thrown  out  of  society,  is  the  most  help- 
less of  God's  creatures.  Hence  you  may  form  a  con- 
ception of  the  intolerable  labor  of  tbe  march.  Ev- 
ery step  taken,  the  heel  of  the  foot  slipped  out  of  the 
shoe ;  to  recover  the  position  of  the  foot  in  the  shoe, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  stiide,  was  hard  labor,  and 
exhausted  my  strength  to  an  unbearable  degree. 
You  must  remember  that  this  march  was  not  per- 
formed on  the  level  surface  of  the  parade  ground,  but 
over  precipitous  hills,  deep  gullies,  and  even  without 
the  path  of  the  vagrant  savage  to  guide  us.  Thus 
we  proceeded  till  towards  mid-day,  the  pale  and  mea- 
gre looks  of  my  companions,  tottering  on  their  limbs, 
corresponding  vfi\h  my  own.    My  friend  Simpson, 


I 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


66 


seeing  my  enfeebled  condition  and  the  cause,  prevail- 
ed with  the  men  to  rest  themselves  a  few  minutes. 
Bark,  the  only  succedaneum  for  twine  or  leather  in 
this  miseral)le  country,  was  immediately  procured, 
and  the  shoe  hound  ti^^htly  to  the  foot.  Then  march- 
ing hastily,  in  the  course  of  an  hour  or  more  we  came 
within  view  of  a  tremendous  cataract  in  the  river, 
fiom  12  to  20  feet  high.  The  horror  this  sight  gave 
us,  fearing  for  the  safety  of  our  friends  in  the  boats, 
was  aggravated,  when,  turning  the  point  of  a  steep 
cragg,  we  met  those  very  friends,  having  lost  all  but 
their  lives,  sitting  around  a  tire  on  the  shore.  Oh 
God  !  what  were  o!ir  sensations  !  Poor  M'Cleland, 
first  Lieutenant  of  Hendricks,'  and  for  whose  accom- 
modation the  boat  was  most  particularly  carried  a- 
cross  the  mountain,  was  lying  by  the  fire  ;  he  beck- 
oned to  us  :  his  voice  was  not  audible  ;  placing  my 
ear  close  to  his  lips,  he  indistinctly  articulated  the  ex- 
pression, '  Farewell.'  Simpi^on,  who  loved  him,  gave 
him  half  of  the  pittance  of  food  which  he  still  pos- 
sessed ;  all  I  could  give  was  a — tear.  The  short  but 
melancholy  story  of  this  gentleman,  so  far  as  it  has 
come  to  my  knowledge,  may  be  detailed  in  a  very 
few  words.  He  had  resided  on  the  Juniata  at  the 
time  he  was  commissioned.  My  knowledge  of  him 
corrunenced  in  the  camp  near  Boston.  He  was  en- 
dowed with  all  those  qualities  which  win  the  affec- 
tions of  men.  Open,  brave,  sincere,  and  a  lover  of 
truth.  On  the  Dead  River,  the  variable  weather 
brought  on  a'cold  that  affected  his  lungs.  The  ten- 
derness of  his  friends  conducted  him  safely,  though 
much  reduced,  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain  at  the  head 
of  the  Dead  River.  Thence  he  was  borne  in  a  lit- 
ter across  the  mountain  by  men.  If  you  had  seen 
the  young,  yet  venerable  Captain  Hendricks,  bearing 
his  share  of  this  beloved  aud  patriotic  burthea  across 

6* 


I 


y|  I 


iimiKmxaair^:_<i[2"z'~ri 


I 


m 


Hi! 


))' 


II 


":ii 


i'lll  I  ill  ll 


:    IB  H 

I  ill  i! 


0e  IPAMPAION     . 

the  plain  to  our  camp,  it  would  have  raised  esteem,  if 
not  affection,  towards  him.  M'Cleland  was  lians- 
poried  from  our  camp  in  a  boat  to  the  place  where 
we  found  him.  The  crew  conducting  the  boat,  al- 
though worthy  men  and  well  acquainted  with  such 
kind  of  navigation,  knew  nothing  of  this  river. — 
They  descended,  unaware  of  the  pitch  before  them, 
until  they  had  got  nearly  into  the  suck  of  the  falls. 
Here,  lucjjily,  a  rock  presented  itself,  on  which  it  was 
BO  contrived  as  to  lodge  the  boat.  Now  the  crew 
with  great  labor  and  danger  bore  their  unfortunate 
Lieutenant  to  the  shore,  where  we  found  him.     We 

{)assed  on,  fearful  for  our  own  lives.  Coming  to  a 
ong,  sandy  beach  of  the  Ghaudiere,  for  we  some- 
times had  such,  some  of  our  company  were  observ- 
ed to  dart  from  the  file,  and  with  their  nails  tear  out 
of  the  sand,  roots,  which  they  esteemed  eatable,  and 
ate  them  raw,  even  without  washing.  Languid  and 
woe-begone  as  your  father  was,  it  could  not  but  cre- 
ate a  smile  to  observe  the  whole  line  watching  with 
Argus  eyes  the  motions  of  a  few  men  who  knew  the 
indication^  in  the  sands  of  those  roots.  The  know- 
ing one  sprung;  half  a  dozen  followed  ;  he  who  ob- 
tained it  ate  the  root  instantly.  Though  hunger  ur- 
ged, it  was  far  from  me  to  contend  in  that  way  with 
BO  powerful  men  as  these  were. 

During  this  day's  march,  (about  10  or  11  A.  M.) 
my  shoe  having  given  out  again,  we  came  to  a  fire, 
where  were  some  of  Captain  Thayer's  or  Topham's 
men.  Simpson  was  in  front ;  trudging  after,  slip- 
shod and  tired,  I  sat  down  on  the  end  of  a  long  log-^ 
against  which  the  fire  was  built,  absolutely  fainting 
from  hunger  and  fatigue,  my  gun  standing  between 
my  knees.  Seating  myself,  that  very  act  gave  r  casf, 
to  the  kettle,  it  being  placed  partly  against  the  lo;^, 
in  such  a  way  as  to  spill  two-thirds  of  its  contents. 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


m 


id  esteem,  if 
was  tians- 
lace  where 
lie  boat,  al- 
)  with  such 
his  river. — 
)efore  them, 
of  the  fallg. 
jvhich  it  was 
w  the  crew 
unfortunate 
I  him.    We 
ioming  to  a 
r  we  some- 
v^ere  observ- 
lails  tear  out 
eatable,  and 
Languid  and 
not  but  cre- 
.tching  with 
ho  knew  the 
The  know- 
he  who  ob- 
1  htinger  ur- 
at  way  with 

)r  11  A.  M.) 

ime  to  a  fire, 

>r  Topham's 

after,  slip- 

f  a  long  log-, 

ely  fainting 

ing  between 

:t  gave  c  casf, 

linst  the  kO;^, 

its  contents. 


At  that  moment  a  large  man  sprung  to  his  gun,  and 
pointing  it  towards  me,  he  threatened  to  shoot.  It 
created  no  fear ;  his  hfe  was  with  much  more  cer- 
tainty in  my  power.  Death  would  have  been  a  wel- 
come visitor.  Simpson  soon  made  us  friends.  Com- 
ing to  their  fire,  they  gave  me  a  cup  of  their  broth, 
A  table  spoonful  was  all  that  was  tasted.  It  imi  a 
greenisfi  hue,  and  they  said  it  was  nmde  iVorrs  «ho 
flesh  of  a  bear.  This  was  instantly  known  to  U^  un- 
true, from  the  taste  and  smell.  It  wastl'at  ot  adog. 
He  was  a  large  black  Newfoundland  dog  l^eumgiog 
to  Thayer,  and  very  fat.  We  left  these  mcay  lei- 
lows,  for  they  were  actually  such,  mauge  aU  their 
wants,  and  marching  quickly,  towards  evening  ..a- 
camped.  We  had  a  good  fire,  but  no  food.  I'o  me 
the  world  had  lost  its  charms.  Gladly  would  death 
have  been  received  as  an  auspicious  herald  fi'om  ih^j 
Divinity.  My  privations  in  every  way  were  such  aa 
to  produce  a  willingne.-^s  to  die.  Without  food^wiiii- 
out  clothing  to  keep  me  warm,  without  money,  and 
in  a  deep  and  devious  wilderness,  the  idea  occurred, 
and  the  means  were  in  my  hands,  of  ending  exis- 
tence. The  God  of  all  goodness  inspired  other  and 
better  thoughts.  One  principal  cause  of  c'li^nge,  (un- 
der the  fostering  hand  of  Providence,)  in  my  senti- 
ments, was  the  jovial  hilarity  of  my  friend  Simp- 
son. At  night,  warming  our  bodies^  at  an  immense 
fire,  (our  compatriots  joined  prcn'-cuously  around,) 
to  animate  the  company,  he  would  sing  "Plato;" 
his  sonorous  voice  gave  tpirit  to  my  heart,  and  the 
morality  of  'he  song,  consolation  to  my  mind.  la 
truth  the  music,  though  not  as  correct  as  Handel,  ad- 
ded strength  and  vigor  to  our  nerves.  This  evening 
it  was,  that  some  of  our  companions,  whose  stomachs 
had  not  received  food  the  last  tor ty -eight  hours, adop- 
ted the  notion  that  leather,  though  it  had  been  maA- 


if 


4       1- 


mi 


J    ( 


,'l        I 


W  CAMPAIGN 

ufactured,  might  be  made  palatable  food,  and  would 
gratify  the  appetite.  Observing  their  discourse,  to 
me  the  experiment  became  a  matter  of  curiosity. — 
They  washed  their  moose-skin  moccasins  in  the  first 
place  in  the  river,  scraping  away  the  dirt  and  sand 
with  great  care.  These  were  brought  to  the  kettle 
and  boiled  a  considerable  time,  under  the  vague,  but 
consolatory  hope  that  a  mucilage  would  take  place. 
The  boiling  over,  the  poor  fellows  chewed  the  letith- 
er  ;  but  it  was  leather  still,  not  to  be  macerated.  My 
teeth,  though  young  and  good,  succeeded  no  better. 
Disconsolate  and  weary,  we  passed  the  night. 

November  3d. — We  arose  early,  hunger  impelling, 
and  matched  rapidly.  After  noon,  on  a  point  on  the 
bank  of  the  river,  some  one  pretended  he  descried 
the  *  first  house,'  ten  miles  off.  Not  long  after,  an- 
other discerned  a  boat  coming  towards  us ;  and  turn- 
ing a  point  of  land,  presently  all  perceived  cattle  dri- 
ving up  the  shore.  These  circumstances  gave  occa- 
sion to  a  ffeble  huzza  of  joy  from  those  who  beheld 
thede  cheerful  and  enlivening  sights.  We  were  now 
treading  a  wide  and  stony  beach  of  the  river.  Smith, 
our  captain,  who  at  this  moment  happened  to  be  in 
company,  elated  with  the  prospect  of  a  sup()ly  of  food, 
in  the  joy  of  his  heart,  perhaps  thoughtlessly,  said  to 
me,  "  Take  ihls,  Henry."  It  was  gladly  received. 
Opening  the  paper;  which  had  been  neatly  folded, 
there  appeared  a  hand's  breadth  and  length  of  bacon- 
fat,  of  an  inch  thick ;  thoughtlessly,  it  was  eaten 
greedily,  inattentive  to  all  former  rule,  and  thanks  to 
God,  did  me  no  harm.  Here  it  was  that  for  the  first 
time,  Aaron  Butr.  a  moi^t  amiable  youth  of  twenty, 
came  to  my  view.  He  then  was  a  cadet.  It  will 
require  a  most  cogent  evidence  to  convince  my  mind 
that  he  ever  intended  any  ill  to  his  country  in  after 
years,  by  his  various  speculations.  Though  differ- 
ing in  political  opinion  from  him,  no  reason  has  as 


i 


and  would 
liscourse,  to 
ciiriosily. — 
3  in  the  first 
t  and  8>and 

0  the  kettle 

1  vague,  but 
take  place. 

J  the  leoth- 
e rated.  My 
i  no  better, 
ight. 

!r  impelling, 
point  on  the 
he  descried 
g  after,  an- 
i;  and  turn- 
d  cattle  dri- 
i  gave  occa- 
vvho  beheld 
e  were  now 
ver.  Sinilh, 
ed  to  be  in 
3})ly  of  food, 
ssly,  said  to 
ly  received, 
ally  folded, 
th  of  bacon- 
was  eaten 
d  thanks  to 
for  the  first 
of  twenty, 
et.     It  will 
e  nny  mind 
try  in  after 
ugh  differ- 
son  has  as 


AGAINST  QUEBEC.  m 

yet  been  laid  before  me  to  induce  a  belief  that  he  wag 
traitorous  to  his  country.  However,  take  this  as  the 
wayward  ideas  of  a  person  totally  excluded  from  a 
knowledge  of  the  secrets  of  the  cabinet,  who  was 
somewhat  attentive  to  its  operations,  so  far  as  news- 
paper infortnaiion  can  elucidate. 

We  marched  as  hastily  as  our  wearied  and  feeble 
limbs  would  admit,  hoping  soon  to  share  in  some- 
thing like  an  Abysinian  feast.  The  curvatures  of 
the  river  had  deceived  us  in  the  calculation  of  dis- 
tance. It  was  many  hours  eie  ,we  came  to  the  place 
of  slaughter.  We  foimd  a  fire  but  no  provision,  ex- 
cept a  small  quantity  of  oaten  meal,  resembling  in 
giit  our  chopfied  rye.  Simpson  warmed  some  of  this 
in  water,  and  ate  with  gout.  To  me  it  was  nause- 
ous; this  may  have'^been  owing  to  the  luncheon  from 
Smith's  hoard.  I'he  Frenchmen  told  us  that  those 
who  preceded  had  devoured  the  very  entrails  of  the 
cattle.  One  of  the  eastern  men,  as  we  came  to  the 
fire,  was  gorging  the  last  bit  of  the  colon,  half  rinsed 
— half  broiled.  It  may  be  said  he  ate  with  pleasure, 
for  he  tore  it  as  a  hungry  dog  would  tear  a  haunch 
of  meat.  We  soon  encamped  for  the  night,  cheered 
by  the  hope  of  succor. 

November  4th. — Alwut  two  o'clock,  P.  M.  we  ar- 
rived at  a  large  stream  coming  front  the  east,  which 
we  ran  through,  though  more  than  mid-deep.  This 
was  the  most  chilling  bath  we  had  hitherto  received  : 
the  weather  was  raw  and  cold.  It  was  my  I7(h  birth 
day,  and  the  hardest  of  them  all.  Within  a  few  hun- 
dred yards  of  the  river  stood  the  <  first  house'  in  Can- 
ada :  we  approached  it  in  extacy,  sure  of  being  re- 
lieved from  a  death  occasioned  by  famine.  Many 
of  our  compatriots  were  unaware  of  that  death  which 
arises  from  sudden  repletion.  The  active  spirit  of 
Arnold,  with  such  able  assistants  as  John  M.  Taylor 


>i  1 

0 


f 


70 


CAMPAIGN 


and  Steele,  had  laid  in  a  great  stock  of  provisions. 
The  men  were  furious,  v^oracious,  and  insatiable. — 
Three  starvations  had  taught  me  wisdom.  My  friends 
took  my  advice;  but,  notwithstanding  the  irrefraga- 
ble arguments  the  officers  used  to  insure  moderation, 
the  men  were  outrageous  upon  the  subject ;  they  had 
no  comprehension  of  such  reasoning.  There  was  a 
Pennsylvania  German  of  our  company,  a  good  and 
orderly  soldier,  who,  from  my  affection  towards  him, 
I  watched  like  another  Doctor  Pedro  Positive.  All 
of  my  reasoning  and  representation  had  no  influence 
upon  him.  foiled  beef,  hot  bread,  potatoes  boiled 
and  roasted,  were  gormandized  without  stint.  He 
seemed  to  defy  death  for  the  mere  enjoyment  of  pres- 
ent gratification,  and  died  two  days  alter.  Many  of 
the  men  sickened.  If  not  much  mistaken,  we  lost 
three  of  our  company  by  their  imprudence  on  this 
occasion.  The  immediate  distension  of  the  stomach 
by  food,  after  a  lengthy  fast,  operates  as  a  more  sud- 
den extinction  of  life  than  the  total  absence  of  ali- 
ment. 

At  this  place  we  for  the  first  time  had  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  the  worthy  and  respectable  Indian,  Nata- 
nis,  and  his  brother  Sabatis,  with  some  others  of  their 
tribe,  (the  Abenaquis.)  Lieutenant  Steele  told  us 
that  when  he  first  arrived  Natanis  came  to  him  in  an 
abrupt  but  friendly  manner,  and  gave  him  a  cordial 
shake  by  the  hand,  intimating  a  previous  knowledge 
of  him.  When  we  came,  he  approached  Cunning 
ham,  Boyd,  and  myself,  and  shook  hands  in  the  way 
of  an  old  acquaintance.  We  now  learned  from  him 
that  on  the  evening  when  we  first  enamped  on  Dead 
River,  (September  29th,)  in  our  first  ascension,  he  lay 
within  view  of  our  camp,  and  so  continued  day  and 
night  to  attend  our  voyage,  until  the  path  presented 
that  led  directly  into  (janada.    This  path  he  took. 


To  the 

friends 

have  k 

Ijudices 

and  wi 

person 

er  In(j 

niarchi 

place  o 

ing,  Ni 

He  ad( 

at  the 

me  to 

linen  q 

hung  ( 

prisone 

diately 

is  the  ^ 

ry  war 

fare  ay 

of  a  ju 

come  t 

ors;  y 

upon  t 

of  a«rg 

tonislu 

Nov 

ance  o 

nltenti 

wilderi 

does  I) 

Nichoj 

good.) 

nephe 

called 

the  gr< 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


71 


of  provisions. 

insatiable. — 
n.  My  friends 
the  it lefraga- 
tj  moderation, 
I'ct ;  they  had 
There  was  a 
',  a  good  and 
towards  him, 
■'osiiive.     All 

no  influence 
)tatoed  boiled 
It  slint.  He 
'nientof  pres- 
5r.  Many  of 
ken,  we  lost 
ence  on  this 

the  stomach 
I  a  more  t^ud- 
>sence  of  ali- 

I  the  pleasure 
idian,  Nata- 
^thers  of  their 
Leele  told  us 
3  to  him  in  an 
liim  a  cordial 
js  knowledge 
ed  Cunning- 
ds  in  the  way 
led  from  him 
iped  on  Dead 
!nsion,  he  lay 
(led  day  and 
uh  presented 
uh  he  took. 


To  the  question  "  Why  did  you  net  speak  to  your 
friends  ?"  he  readily  answered  and  truly,  "  You  would 
|!  have  killed  me  "  This  was  most  likely^  as  our  pre- 
judices against  him  had  been  most  strongly  excited, 
and  we  had  no  limit  in  our  orders  as  to  this  devoted 
person.  He,  his  brother  Sabatis,  and  seventeen  oth- 
er Indians,  the  nephews  and  friends  of  Natanis, 
marched  wit h  us  to  Quebec.  In  the  attack  on  that 
place  on  the  morning  of  the  first  of  January  follow- 
ing, Na  anis  received  a  musket  ball  through  hie  wrist. 
He  adopted  a  chirurgery  (hat  seemed  extraordinary 
at  the  time,  and  quite  new,  but  which  now  seems  to 
me  to  be  that  of  nature  itself.  He  drew  a  pledget  of 
linen  quite  though  ihe  wound,  the  ends  of  which 
hung  down  on  each  side  of  the  arm.  He  wastakea 
prisoner,  but  General  Carlton  discharged  hiin  imme- 
diately, with  strong  tokens  of  commiseration.  This 
is  the  first  instance  in  the  course  of  our  revolutiona- 
ry war,  of  the  employment  of  Indians  in  actual  war- 
fare airaiiist  our  enemies.  To  be  sure  it  was  the  act 
of  a  junior  commander,  unwarranted,  so  far  as  has 
come  to  my  knowledge,  by  the  orders  of  his  superi- 
ors ;  yet  it  seemed  to  authorize,  in  a  small  degree, 
upon  the  part  of  our  opponents,  that  horrible  system 
of  a<rgres:^ion  which  in  a  short  time  ensued,  and  as- 
tonished and  disguHted  (he  civilized  world. 

Nov.  5th. —  Hunger,  which  neither  knows  govern- 
ance or  restraint,  being  now  gratified,  we  turned  our 
attention  towards  our  fiiends  that  were  still  in  the 
wilderness.  Smith  and  Simpson,  (for  recollection 
does  not  serve  to  say  how  my  friends  Hendiicks  and 
Nichols  were  employed,  but  mo^t  certainly  in  doing 
good.)  always  active,  procured  two  young  Indians, 
nephews  of  Natanis,  "  sweet  fellows,"  (as  Simpnon 
called  theni,^  to  proceed  on  the  following  motning  to 
the  great  fall,  for  the  person  of  the  invaluable  M'Cle- 


■i" 


■<i\ 


4 


^ 

ni 


mM^ 


■«,  iti'ii 


::1|!  li 


'I  I 


'1,1      ■     I,  !   I 


ra 


CAMPAIGN 


land.  Before  we  started,  it  gave  me  pleasure  to  uee 
these  yonthp,  excited  by  the  reward  obtained,  push- 
ing I  heir  birch-bark  canoe  against  the  strict  current 
of  the  river.  It  seemed  Hke  an  egg-shell  to  bound 
over  the  surface  of  the  waves  of  every  o()posing  rip- 
ple. To  end  at  once  (his  dolorous  part  of  the  story  : 
the  young  men,  in  spite  of  every  impediment  from 
the  waters,  and  the  solicit ations  of  the  starved  wan- 
derers in  the  rear  for  food,  hurried  on  to  the  fall,  and 
on  the  evening  of  the  third  day  brought  our  dying 
friend  to  the  "  first  house."  'I'he  following  day  he 
died,  and  his  corpse  received  a  due  respect  from  the 
inhabitants  of  the  vicinage.  We  were  inf  >rmed  of 
this  a  monih  after.  This  real  Catholicism  towards 
l\ie  remains  of  one  we  loved,  made  a  deep  and  wide 
breach  upon  my  early  prejudices,  which  since  that 
period  has  caused  no  regret,  but  has  induced  a  more 
extended  and  paternal  view  of  mankind,  unbound- 
ed by  sect  or  opinion. 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th  Nov.  we  marched  in 
straggling  parties,  through  a  flat  and  rich  coimtry, 
sprinkled,  it  might  be  said,  decorated  by  many  low 
bouses,  all  white  washed,  which  appeared  to  be  the 
warm  abodes  of  a  contented  people.  Every  now  and 
then  a  chapel  came  in  sight ;  but  more  frequently  the 
rude,  yet  pious  imitations  of  the  sufferings  of  om-  Sa- 
vior, and  the  image  of  the  virgin.  These  things  cre- 
ated surprise,  at  least,  in  my  mind,  for  where  I  ex- 
pected there  could  be  little  other  than  barbarity,  we 
found  civilized  nten,  in  a  comfoitable  state,  enjoying 
all  the  benefits  arising  from  the  institutions  of  civil 
iociety.  The  river,  along  which  the  road  ran  in  this 
day's  march,  became  in  the  most  part  our  guide.  It 
now  flawed  in  a  deep  and  almost  sight lera  current ; 
where  my  opportunities  gave  me  a  view.  Our  ab- 
UMBiouilieM  iiiili  continued.     About  iiooq  of  the 


m 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


m 


next  day  we  arrived  at  the  quarters  of  Arnold,  a  sta- 
tion he  had  taken  for  the  purpose  of  halting  and  em- 
bodying the  whole  of  our  emaciated  and  straggling 
troops.  We  were  now  perhaps  thirty  miles  from 
Point  Levi,  which  is  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  near- 
ly opposite  to  duebec. 

Now  our  mess  had  "  friends  at  court."  Arnold, 
since  we  left  the  twelve-mile  carrying-place  the  last 
time,  had  deservedly  taken  Steele  as  a  guide  into  his 
mess,  and  he  had  become  a  kind  of  aid- de-cam  p.  He 
was,  to  say  no  more,  a  confidential  man.  John  M. 
Taylor,  keen  and  bold  as  an  Irish  grey-hound,  was 
of  our  company.  Being  a  ready  penman  and  excel- 
lent accountant,  he  was  at  once  exalted  by  the  shrewd 
and  discerning  eye  of  Arnold,  to  the  offices  of  pur- 
veyor and  commissary.  We  had  no  distinctions  of 
office,  scarcely  any  of  rank,  in  those  days.  Our  squad 
consequently  came  boldly  up  to  head-quarters,  though 
we  did  not  go  into  the  presence  of  the  officers.  Steele, 
who  was  in  waiting,  pointed  to  the  slaughter-house, 
an  hundred  yards  distant.  Thither  we  went,  deter- 
mined to  indulge.  Here  we  found  our  friend  Tay- 
lor, worried  almost  to  death  in  dealing  out  the  suste- 
nance of  life  to  others.  Without  hyperbole  or  cir- 
cumlocution, he  gave  us  as  many  pounds  of  beef- 
steaks as  we  chose  to  carry.  Proceeding  to  the  next 
house,  a  mile  l)elow,  some  one  of  the  party  became 
cook.  Good  bread  and  potatoes,  with  the  accompa- 
niment of  beef-steak,  produced  a  savory  meal.  Be- 
lieving myself  out  of  danger  from  any  extraordinary 
indulgence  of  appetite,  the  due  quantity  was  exceed^ 
ed,  and  yet,  believe  me,  it  was  not  more  than  an  an- 
chorite might  religiously  take.  We  soon  became 
sensible  of  (his  act  of  imprudence.  The  march  of 
the  afternoon  was  a  dull  and  heavy  one.  A  fever  at- 
UfikednA.    I  became,  according  to  my  lieeliDgSv  the 


m 


ui 


m 


u 


Campaign     ^ 


most  miserable  of  human  beings.  Determined  hot 
to  lag  behind,  my  eyes,  at  times,  could  scarcely  dis- 
cern the  way,  nor  my  legs  do  their  office.  We  did 
not  march  far  this  afternoon.  In  this  high  latitude, 
a  winter's  day  is  very  short  and  fleeting.  The  eve- 
ning brought  me  no  comfort,  though  we  slept  warm- 
ly in  a  farm  house. 

November  7th. — The  army  now  formed  into  more 
regular  and  compact  order,  in  the  morning  preity  ear- 
ly, we  proceeded.  About  noon  my  disorder  had  in- 
creased so  intolerably,  that  I  could  not  put  a  foot  for- 
w^ard.  Seating  myself  upon  a  log  at  the  way-side, 
the  troops  passed  on.  In  I  he  rear  came  Arnold  on 
horseback.  He  knew  my  name  and  character,  and 
good-naturedly  inquired  after  my  health.  Being  in- 
formed, he  dismounted,  ran  down  to  the  river  side, 
and  hailed  the  owner  of  the  house  which  stood  op- 
posite across  the  water.  The  good  Canadian,  in  his 
canoe,  quickly  arrived.  Depositing  my  gun  and  ac- 
coutrements in  the  hands  of  one  of  our  men,  who 
attended  upon  me,  and  had  been  disarmed  by  losing 
his  rifle  in  some  one  of  the  wrecking's  above,  and 
Arnold  putting  two  silver  dollars  in  my  hands,  the 
Fr^nrtiman  carried  me  to  his  house.  Going  to  bed 
with  a  high  fever  u|K)n  me,  I  lay  all  this  and  the  fol- 
lowing day  without  tasting  food.  That  had  been 
the  cause  of  the  disease,  its  absence  became  the 

cure. 

The  morning  of  the  third  day,(10lh  Nov.)  brought 
me  health.  The  mistress  of  the  house,  who  hnd 
been  very  attentive  and  kind,  asked  me  to  breakfast. 
This  humble,  but  generous  meal,  consisledof  a  bowl 
of  milk  for  the  guest,  vjth  excellent  bread.  The 
fare  of  the  family  was  this  same  bread,  garlic,  and 
salt.  I  had  observed  that  this  was  the  usual  morn* 
irig's  dietj  for  I  lay  in  the  etove-roomi  where  iheftm* 


•mined  tiot 
larcely  dis- 
.  We  did 
rh  latitude. 
The  eve- 
lept  warm- 

d  into  more 
I  preity  car- 
der had  in- 
t  a  foot  for- 
e  way-side, 
Arnold  on 
racter,  and 

Being  in- 

e  river  side, 

h  stood  op- 

dian,  in  his 

(un  and  ac- 

men,  who 

d  hy  losing 

above,  and 

hands,  (he 

>ing  to  bed 

andtheibl- 

had  been 
)ecau)e  the 

av.)  brought 
who  had 
0  breakfast. 
3d  of  a  bowl 
read.  The 
garlic,  and 
jsual  mdrii'- 
ereibeftm* 


AGAINST  QUEBEC.  H 

ily  ale  and  slept.  This  worthy  family  was  compo<> 
sed  of  ?even  persons :  the  parents  in  tiie  pi  ime  oi  life„ 
and  five  charming,  ruddy  children,  all  neatly  and 
warmly  clothed  in  woollen,  apparently  of  their  own 
manufacture.  You  might  suppose,  from  their  man- 
ner of  living,  that  these  persons  were  poor.  No  such 
thing.  They  were  in  good  circumstances.  Their 
house,  barn,  stabling,  &c.  were  w^arm  and  comfort- 
able, and  their  diet  such  as  is  universal  among  the 
French  peasantry  of  Canada.  Proffering  my  two 
dollai-H  to  this  honest  man,  he  rejected  them  with, 
something  like  disdain  in  his  countenance,  intima- 
ting to  me  that  he  had  merely  obeyed  the  dictates  of 
religion  and  humanity.  Tears  filled  my  eyes  whea 
1  took  my  leave  of  these  amiable  people.  But  they 
had  not  even  yet  done  enough  for  me.  The  father 
insiv^ted  on  attending  me  to  the  ferry  some  miles  off, 
where  the  river  takes  a  turn  almost  due  north,  to 
meet  the  St.  Lawrence.  Here  my  worthy  host  pro- 
ctired  me  a  passage  scott-free,  observing  to  me  my 
money  might  be  needed  beloie  the  army  could  be  o- 
vertaken.  Landing  on  the  north  bank  of  the  river, 
the  way  could  not  be  mistaken,  the  tiack  of  the  ar- 
my had  so  strongly  markt  d  the  route.  To  me  it  was 
a  most  gloomy  and  soliiary  march.  Not  a  soul  was 
to  be  seen  in  the  course  ol  ten  miles.  Being  without 
arms,  and  in  an  unknown  country,  my  inconsequence 
and  fuiileness  lay  heavy  on  my  spirits.  Here  and 
there  was  a  farm-house,  but  the  inhabitants  were  ei- 
ther closely -housed  or  absent  from  iheir  homes.  Af- 
ternoon, arriving  at  the  quarters  of  our  company,  my 
gun  and  accoutiemenfs  were  reclaimed  with  ardor, 
and  a  solemn  resolution  never  to  part  with  ihem  a- 
gaii),  uidess  it  happened  by  the  compulsion  of  the  foe. 
The  house  which  the  company  possessed,  lay  some 
hundreds  of  paces  from  head-quarters,  but  withiu 


11 


;;? 


m 


CAMPAIGN 


iii!  III!" 


r  - 


view.  Morgan's  quarters  were  nearer.  WhercHen- 
dricks  made  his  lodgment  is  not  now  recollected,  but 
it  was  at  no  great  distance.  * 

On  the  follow  ing  day,  (Nov.  11th,)  otirguns  in  or- 
der, a  scene  opened,  which  then  and  now  seems  to 
me  to  have  exhibited  us  in  a  disreputable  point  of 
view :  it  evinced,  at  least,  the  necessity  of  a  staid  and 
»ober  conduct  of  the  officer,  as  well  as  a  strict  subor- 
dination and  obedience  of  the  private.  A  hurried  and 
boisterous  report  came  from  head-quarters,  that  the 
British  were  landing  on  our  left  at  a  mill,  about  a 
mile  off.  Each  one  grasped  his  arms.  Morgan  and 
the  Indians,  who  lay  nearest  to  the  commander's 
quarters,  were  foremost.  The  running  was  severe. 
The  lagging  Indians,  and  a  variety  of  the  three  com- 
panies, were  intermingled.  Coming  to  the  brow  of  the 
precipice,  but  still  unseen,  we  perceived  a  boat  land- 
ing, which  came  from  a  frigate  lying  in  the  stream, 
a  mile  below.  The  boat  came  ashore.  A  youth 
sprung  from  it:  (he  tide  ebbing,  the  boatswain  iho't 
it  better  to  obtain  a  deeper  landing-place,  nearer  the 
mill,  and  drew  off.  Morgan,  apprehensive  of  a  dis- 
covery of  our  presence,  fired  at  the  boat's  crew.  A 
volley  ensued  without  harm,  probably  because  of  the 
great  space  between  us.  They  pulled  off  shore,  be- 
yond the  range  of  our  guns,  leaving  the  midshipman 
to  our  mercy.  The  hapless  youth,  confounded,  un- 
knowing what  to  do,  plunged  into  the  river,  hoping 
to  regain  his  boat.  His  friends  flying  from  him — he 
waded,  he  swam,  yet  could  not  reach  the  boat.  At 
the  distance,  perhaps,  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards, 
nothing  but  his  head  above  water,  a  shooting-match 
took  place,  and  believe  me,  the  balls  of  Morgan,Simp- 
■on,  Humphreys,  and  others,  played  around,and  with- 
in a  few  inches  of  his  head.  Even  after  a  lapse  of 
thirty  years,  it  gives  me  pain  to  recolleathat  my  gun 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


W: 


was  discharged  at  him.  Such,  however,  was  the 
savage  ferocity  engendered  in  those  ungracions  times, 
by  a  devoluiion  of  the  ministry  of  the  motlier  coun- 
try from  the  true  line  of  conduct  towards  her  colo- 
nies. 

JJ'Kensie^  (the  name  of  the  young  man,)  seeing 
tliat  his  boat's  crew  had  deserted  him,  showed  a  de- 
sire to  surrender,  by  approaching  the  shore.  The  fi- 
ring ceased.  But  a  still  more  disgusting  occurrence 
than  the  preceding,  followed.  The  lad,  coming  to- 
wards the  shore,  ^evidently  intending  to  submit,  Sa- 
batis,  the  Indian,  the  brother  of  Natanis,  sprung  for- 
ward, scalping  knife  in  hand,  seemingly  intending  to 
end  the  strife  at  a  single  blow.  The  huinanity  of 
Morgan  and  Humphreys,  towards  a  succumbent  foe, 
was  excited.  One  or  the  other  of  them,  it  is  not  now 
recollected  which  it)  particular,  by  his  agility  and  a- 
mazing  powers  of  body,  was  enabled  to  precede  the 
Indian  by  several  yards.  This  contest  of  athleticism 
was  observed  from  the  shore,  where  we  were,  with 
great  interest.  Morgan  brought  the  boy,  (for  he  was 
really  such,)  to  land,  and  afterwards  esteemed  him, 
for  he  merited  the  good-will  of  a  hero.  Wet  and 
hungiy.  we  returned  to  quarters.  Running  along 
the  shore  with  our  prey,  the  Hunter  sloop  of  war, 
having  warped  up  for  that  purpose,  pelted  us  all  the 
way  with  ball  and  grape  shot.  It  was  no  easy  mat- 
ter to  ascend  the  bank,  which  was  steep  and  craggy. 
Our  prisoner  was  prudently  loquacious,  and  very  gen* 
teel.  He  had  left  the  sloop,  of  which  he  was  a  mid- 
shipman, upon  command,  to  procure  spars  and  oars 
which  were  in  the  mill.  He  had  ordered  off  the 
boat  to  procure  a  better  landing,  when  our  imprudent 
fire  drove  his  people  frorn  him.  He  was  the  brother 
of  Captain  M'Kensie  of  the  Pearl  frigate.  In  1777, 
the  young  M'Kensie  was  again  taken.    I  saw  hint 

7* 


1 


1 


If 


m 


in 


4 

''if 


n 


CAMPAIGN 


mi^ 


Wi''. 


at  Lancaster,  (Pennsylvania,)  active,  lively,  and  fa- 
cetious as  ever.  During  our  stay  at  Point  Levi,  Col- 
onel Arnold  was  busily  engaged.  Being  now  dis- 
covered, it  became  us  to  pass  the  St.  Lawrence  as 
soon  as  possible.  The  main  difficulty  consisted  in 
the  procurement  of  boats  or  canoes.  Those  kinds  of 
craft  on  this  part  of  the  river,  had  previously  to  our 
arrival,  been  secured  by  the  vigilance  of  government, 
which  it  is  likely  had  some  intimation  of  an  inroad 
in  the  direction  wecame.  Twenty-five  canoes, chief- 
ly of  birch  bark,  were  -with  difficulty  procured.  The 
command  of  these  was  conferred  upon  Lieutenant 
Steele,  who  selected  the  steersmen,  of  whom  it  came 
to  me  to  be  one.  The  passage,  if  practicable,  must 
be  made  in  the  night,  and  that  in  the  most  silent 
manner,  at  a  time  the  tide  served. 

Between  the  hours  of  10  and  11  o'clock,  on  the 
night  of  the  13th  of  November^  the  troops  paraded 
on  the  beach,  near  the  mill  before  mentioned,  with- 
out noise  or  bustle.  One  cargo  was  despatched — 
then  a  second  :  upon  making  the  traverse  a  third 
time,  an  accident  happened  to  my  friend  Steele, 
which  you  can  scarcely  credit.  Being  at  a  consider- 
able distance  behind  with  his  canoe,  1  could  not,  at 
its  occurring,  obperve  the  trannaction,  nor  share  in  the 
danger,  though  my  life  would  have  been  willingly 
risked  for  his,  and  yet  the  relation  of  this  fact  is  most 
unquestionably  true.  These  frequent  asseverations 
may  appear  somewhat  awkward,  and  to  blur  the  de- 
tail of  our  story ;  but  our  sufferings  were  so  extraor- 
dinary in  their  kinds,  and  so  aggravated  by  the  na- 
ture of  the  severe  services  we  underwent,  that  now- 
a-days  it  will  require  a  faith  almost  approaching  to 
credulity,  to  convince  the  mind  of  their  truth.  Steele 
eteered  a  birch  bark  canoe;  the  weight, and  itishke- 
ly  the  awkwardness  ot  the  men,  when  about  in  the 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


7ft 


middle  of  the  river,  (which  at  this  place  is  full  two 
miles  wide,)  burst  the  canoe.  The  men  who  were 
in  it,  swam  to,  or  were  taken  up  by  the  canoes  near- 
est to  them.  It  was  otherwise  with  Steele.  He  was 
the  last  to  get  to  a  canoe  under  the  management  of 
the  worthy  Wheeler;  but  it  was  full  of  men.  There 
could  be  no  admittance.  The  steersman  advised, 
and  Steele  was  compelled  from  necessity,  to  throw 
his  arms  over  the  stern — Wheeler,  seating  himself 
upon  them,  so  as  to  hold  ttiem  securely,  for  it  was  a 
bleak  and  numbing  night.  Thus,  in  this  manner 
was  this  woilhy  and  adventurous  officer  floated  to 
the  shore  at  Wolfe's  cove.  Here  there  was  an  unin- 
habited house.  A  Are  had  been  liglited  in  it  by  some 
of  our  people  uho  first  landed.  It  became  a  pole- 
star  to  us  in  the  rear — we  steered  for  it.  Landing  a- 
bout  half  an  hour  after  Steele,  we  found  him  at  the 
fire,  seemingly  chilled  to  the  heart;  but  he  was  a 
man  not  to  be  dispirited  by  slight  matters.  Friction 
soon  restored  him  to  bis  usual  animation.  The 
moon,  now  about  three  o'clock,  shone  brightly,  and 
the  tide  run  out  rapidly,  sothat  the  passing  of  the  rest 
of  the  troops,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  in  num- 
ber, this  liight,  was  given  up.  This  circumstance, 
of  the  absence  of  so  large  a  part  of  our  force,  wai 
known  to  but  few.  They  joined  us  on  the  following 
night.  It  had  been  the  intention  of  our  chief  to  storm 
the  town  this  night ;  but  the  deficiency  of  our  scaling 
ladders,  many  of  which  had  been  lefl  beyond  the  riv- 
er, now  repressed  that  design. 

November  14th. — The  troops  easily  ascended  the 
hill,  by  a  good  road  cut  in  it  slantingly.  This  was 
not  the  case  in  1759,  when  the  immortal  Wolfe 
mounted  here.  It  was  then  a  steep  declivity,  enfila- 
ded by  a  host  of  savages,  but  was  surmounted  by  tht 
eager  and  gaUant  spirit^  <^  our  natiop. 


'fell 
1- 


* 


>y 


-* 


CAMPAIGN 


.;•  '!:,:K.)i 


';";;:!ri  I 


^A  favorable  opporfunlty  here  presenting  itself  for  a  digression  from 
Mr  Henry 'tf  personal  Narrative,  it  is  embraced  to  give  an  ac- 
count of  ttie  landing  of  the  Biiti>$h  troops,  their  occtipatiim  of 
the  Heights  of  Abraham,  and  the  subsequent  "  Battle  nf  Que- 
bee,**  which  events  took  place  September  12  and  13,  1759,  on- 
ly 16  years  previous  to  the  period  arrived  at  in  this  Narrative  ; 
and  tlieir  details  are  copied  from  "  Hume's  History  qf  Eng- 
land— continued  by  Smollett. **— Editor.'} 

The  historian  says,  "  The  troops  and  artillery  were 
landed  at  Point  Levi :  they  afterwards  passed  up  tiie 
river  in  transports ;  while  admiral  Holmes  made  a 
movement  with  his  ships,  to  amuse  the  enemy  posted 
on  the  north  shore  :  and  the  men  being  much  crowded 
on  board,  the  General  ordered  one-half  of  them  to  be 
landed  for  refreshment  on  the  other  side  of  the  river. 
As  no  possibility  appeai'ed  of  annoying  the  enemy  a- 
bove  the  town,  the  scheme  of  operations  was  totally 
changed.  A  plan  was  formed  for  conveying  the  troops 
fartlier  down  in  boats,  and  landijig  them  within  a  league 
of  Cape  Diamond,  in  hopes  of  ascending  the  heights 
of  Abraham,  which  rise  abrui)tly  with  a  steep  ascent 
from  the  banks  of  the  river,  that  they  might  take  pos- 
session of  the  ground  on  the  back  of  the  city,  where  it 
was  but  indifferently  fortified.  The  dangers  and  diffi- 
culties attending  the  execution  of  this  design  were  so 
peculiarly  discouraging,  that  one  would  imagine  it  could 
not  have  been  embraced  but  by  a  spirit  of  enterprize 
that  bordered  on  desperation.  The  stream  was  rapid  ; 
the  shore  shelving ;  the  bank  of  the  river  lined  with 
sentinels  ;  the  landing-place  so  narrow  as  to  be  easily 
missed  in  the  dark ;  and  the  ground  so  difficult  as  hard- 
ly to  be  surmounted  in  the  day-time,  had  no  opposition 
been  expected.  If  the  enemy  had  received  the  least 
intimation  from  spy  or  deserter,  or  even  suspected  the 
scheme  ;  had  the  embarkation  been  disordered  in  con- 
sequence of  the  darkness  of  the  liight,  the  rapidity  of 
the  river,  or  the  shelving  nature  of  the  north  shore, 
hear  which  they  were  obliged  to  row ;  had  one  senti- 
nel been  alarmed^  or  the  landingplace  muoh  mistaken ; 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


81 


the  heights  of  Abraham  must  have  been  instantly  se- 
cured by  such  a  force  as  would  have  rendered  the  un- 
dertaking abortive  j  confusion  would  necessarily  have 
ensued  in  the  dark  ;  and  this  would  have  naturally  pro- 
duced a  panic,  which  might  have  proved  fatal  to  the 
greater  part  of  the  detachment.  These  objections 
could  not  escape  the  penetration  of  the  gallant  Wolfe, 
who  nevertheless  adopted  tb.e  plan  without  hesitation, 
and  even  executed  it  in  person ;  though  at  that  time  la- 
boring under  a  severe  dysentery  and  fever,  which  had 
exhausted  his  constitution,  and  reduced  him  almost  to 
an  extremity  of  weakness.  The  previous  steps  being 
taken,  and  the  time  fixed  for  this  hazardous  attempt, 
admiral  Holmes  moved  with  his  squadron  farther  up 
the  river,  about  three  leagues  above  the  place  appoint- 
ed for  the  disembarkation,  that  he  might  deceive  the 
enemy,  and  amuse  M.  de  Bougainville,  whom  Mont- 
calm had  detached  with  fifteen  hundred  men  to  watch 
the  motions  of  that  squadron  :  but  the  English  admi- 
ral was  directed  to  sail  down  the  river  in  the  night,  s6 
as  to  prbtect  the  landing  of  the  forces;  and  these  orr 
ders  he  punctually  fulfilled.  On  the  twelfth  day  of 
September,  an  hour  after  midnight,  the  first  embarka- 
tion, consisting  of  four  complete  regiments,  the  light 
infantry  commanded  by  Colonel  Howe,  a  detachment 
of  Highlanders,  and  the  American  grenadien^,  was  made 
in  flat-bottomed  boats,  under  the  immediate  command 
of  the  brigadiers  Monckton  and  Murray ;  though  Gen- 
eral Wolfe  accompanied  them  in  person,  and  was  a- 
mong  the  first  who  landed  ;  and  they  began  to  fall  down 
with  the  tide,  to  the  intended  place  of  disembarkation : 
rowing  close  to  the  north  shore,  in  order  to  find  it  the 
more  easily.  Without  any  disorder  the  boats  glided 
gently  along,  but  by  the  rapidity  of  the  tide,  and  the 
darkness  of  the  night,  the  boats  overshot  the  mark» 
and  the  troops  landed  a  little  below  the  place  at  which 
the  disembarkation  was  intended.  As  the  troops  land- 
ed, the  boats  were  sent  back  for  the  second  embarka* 


■I 


>l|t:l 


■fi 


Si 


CAMPAIGN 


tion,  which  was  superintended  by  brigadier  Towns- 
hend  In  the  mean  time,  Colonel  Howe,  with  the  light 
infantry  and  the  Highlanders,  ascended  the  woody  pre- 
cipice with  admirable  courage  and  activity,  and  dislodg- 
ed a  Serjeant's  guard,  which  defended  a  small  intrench- 
ed narrow  path,  by  which  alone  the  rest  of  the  forces 
could  reach  the  summit.  Then  they  mounted  without 
further  molestation  from  the  enemy,  and  the  General 
drew  them  up  in  order  as  they  anivcd.  Monsieur  de 
Montcalm  no  sooner  understood  that  the  English  had 
gained  the  heights  of  Abraham,  which  in  a  manner 
commanded  the  town  on  its  weakest  part,  than  he  re- 
solved to  hazard  a  battle ;  and  began  his  march  with- 
out delay,  after  having  collected  his  whole  force  from 
the  side  of  Beauport. 

Genpral  Wolfe,  perceiving  the  enemy  crossing  the 
river  St.  Charles,  began  to  ronn  his  own  line,  which 
consisted  of  six  battalions,,  and  the  Louisbourg  grena- 
diers ;  the  right  commanded  by  brigadier  Monckton, 
and  the  left  by  brigadier  Murray  :  to  the  rear  of  the 
left,  Colonel  Howe  was  posted  with  his  li,^lit  infantry, 
just  returned  from  a  four-gun  battery,  which  they  had 
taken  without  opposition.  M  de  Montcalm  advancing 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  show  his  intention  was  to  flank 
the  left  of  the  English,  brigadier  Townshend  was  sent 
thither  with  the  regiment  of  Amherst,  which  he  form- 
ed en  potencCt  presenting  a  double  front  to  the  enemy  ; 
ho  was  afterwards  reinforced  by  two  battalions ;  and 
the  reserve  consisted  of  one  regiment  drawn  up  in  eight 
subdivisions,,  witli  large  intervals.  The  right  of  tho 
enemy  was  compos  d  of  half  the  colony  troops,  two 
battalions,  and  a  body  of  Canadians  and  savages :  their 
centre  consisted  of  a  column  formed  by  two  other  reg- 
ular battalions  ;  and  on  the  left  one  battalion,  with  the 
remnindcr  of  tlie  colony  troops,  was  post<*d  :  the  l)ush- 
es  and  corn-fields  in  their  front  were  lined  with  fifteen 
hundred  of  their  best  marksmen,  who  kept  up  an  ir- 
regular galling  fire,  which  proved  fatal  to  many  bravo 


[Battle 


li      '   f|,:ij. 


f 


\^^- 


* 


;r  Towns- 
th  the  light 
.voody  prc- 
nd  dislodg- 
11  iiitrench- 
the  forces 
ed  without 
he  General 
Monsieur  de 
English  had 
n  a  manner 
than  he  re- 
iiarch  with- 
force  from 

crossing  the 
line,   which 
ourg  grena- 
r  Monckton, 
rear  of  the 
rht  infantry, 
h  they  had 
n  advancing 
was  to  flank 
nd  was  sent 
h  he  form- 
the  enemy  ; 
alions;  and 
up  in  eight 
ight  of  the 
troops,  two 
ugcs :  their 
o  other  reg- 
ni,  with  the 
:  thel)U8h- 
with  fifteen 
up  "an  ir- 
lany  bravo 


i'-:'.V"'       k^y 


y^ 


[Battle  of  Quebec,  between  Wulf  and  Muntcalm,  Sept.  It,  1750.] 


Is  4 


1:       1 


I 


y 


'• 


'H 


i 


'k 


rY^ 


■1A 


"1  ! 


Ill 


i 
I 

I 

1 

*;;|j^|jfi 

■JJi  .Mm 

%* 


■^■i 


•MI«M«»ltt»»?>VN»' 


■  WS'^KH'^'lf**'' 


AGAINST  QUEBEC.  4|^ 

officers,  thus  singled  out  for  destiiiction.  This  fire,  in- 
deed, was  in  some  measure  checked  by  the  advanced 
posts  of  the  British  line,  who  piqueered  with  the  ene- 
my for  some  hours  before  the  battle  began.  Both  ar- 
mies were  destitute  of  artillery  except  two  small  pie- 
ces on  the  side  of  the  French,  and  a  single  gun  which 
the  English  seamen  made  shift  to  diaw  up  from  the 
landing-place-  This  was  very  well  served,  and  galled 
their  column  severely.  At  length,  about  nine  in  the 
morning,  the  enemy  advanced  to  the  charge  with  great 
order  and  vivacity,  though  their  fire  was  irregular  and 
ineffectual.  On  the  contrary,  the  British  forces  re- 
sei-ved  their  shot  until  the  French  had  approached  with- 
in forty  yards  of  their  line :  then  they  poured  in  a  ter- 
rible discharge ;  and  continued  the  fire  with  such  de- 
liberation and  spirit,  as  could  not  fail  to  produce  a  very 
considerable  effect.  General  Wolfe  was  stationed  on 
the  right,  at  the  head  of  Bragg's  regiment  and  the  Lou- 
isbourg  grenadiers,  where  the  attack  ww  most  warm. 
As  he  stood  conspicuous  in  the  front  of  <.he  line,  he  had 
been  aimed  at  by  the  enemy *8  marksrr.en,  and  received 
a  shot  in  the  wrist,  which  however  did  not  oblige  him 
to  quit  the  field.  Having  wrapped  a  handkerchief  a- 
round  his  hand,  he  continued  giving  orders  without  the 
least  emotion  ;  and  advanced  at  the  head  of  the  grena- 
diers with  their  bayonets  fixed ,  when  another  ball  un- 
fortunately pierced  the  breast  of  this  young  hero,  who 
fell  in  the  arms  of  victory,  just  as  the  enemy  gave  way. 
At  this  very  instant,  every  separate  regiment  of  the 
British  aiiny  seemed  to  exert  itself  for  the  honor  of  its 
own  peculiar  character.  While  the  right  pressed  on 
with  their  bayonets,  brigadier  Murray  briskly  advanced 
with  the  troops  under  his  command,  and  soon  broke 
the  centre  of  the  enemy  ;  then  the  Highlanders,  draw- 
ing their  broadswords,  fell  in  among  them  with  irresia- 
time  impetuosity,  and  drove  them  with  great  slaughter 
into  the  town,  and  the  works  they  had  raised  at  the 
bridge  of  the  river  St.  Charles.    Oia  the  leil  aad  rear 


h 


ill 

V 


I 


H 


campaioM^^^ 


of  the  English,  the  action  was  not  so  violent.  Some 
of  the  light  infantry  had  thrown  themselves  into  hou- 
ses ;  where,  being  attacked,  they  defended  themselves 
with  great  courage  and  resolution.  Colonel  Howe  hav- 
ing taken  post  with  two  companies  behind  a  small  copse, 
sallied  out  frequently  on  the  flanks  of  the  enemy,  du- 
ring this  attack,  and  often  drove  them  into  heaps  ;  while 
brigadier  Townshend  advanced  platoons  against  their 
front ;  so  that  the  right  wing  of  the  French  were  total- 
ly prevented  from  executing  their  first  intention.  The 
brigadier  himself  remained  with  Amherst's  regiment, 
to  support  this  dispostion,  and  to  overawe  a  body  of 
savages  posted  opposite  to  the  light  infantry,  Waiting 
for  an  opportunity  to  fall  upoii  the  rear  of  the  British 
army.  General  Wolfe  being  slain,  and  at  the  same 
•time  Mr.  Monckton  being  dangerously  wounded  at  the 
head  of  Lascelles'  regiment,  where  he  distinguished 
himself  with  remarkable  gallar.try,  the  command  de- 
volved on  luigadier  Townshend,  who  hastened  to  the 
centre  ;  and  finding  the  troops  disordered  in  the  pur- 
suit, formed  them  again  with  all  possible  expedition. 
This  necessary  task  was  scarce  performed,  when  M  de 
Bougainville,  with  a  body  of  two  thousand  fresh  men, 
appeared  in  the  rear  of  the  English.  He  had  begun 
his  march  from  Cape  Rouge  as  soon  as  he  received  in- 
telligence that  the  British  troops  had  gained  the  heights 
of  Abraham,  but  did  iK>t  come  up  in  time  to  have  any 
share  in  the  battle.  Mr  Townshend  immediately  or- 
dered two  battalions,  witu  two  pieces  of  artillery,  to 
advance  against  this  officer ;  who  retired,  at  their  ap- 
proach, among  woods  and  .swamps,  where  General 
Townshend  very  wisely  declined  hazaixling  a  precari- 
ous attack.  He  had  already  obtained  a  complete  victo- 
ry,  taken  a  great  number  of  French  officers,  and  was 
possessed  f>f  a  very  advantageous  situation,  whicli  it 
would  have  been  imprudent  to  forego.  The  French 
General,  M.  de  Montcalm,  was  mortally  wounded  ini 
the  battle,  and  conveyed  into  Quebec ;  from  whenc©, 


i[ 


AGAINST  QbEBEC. 


m 


jnt.  Some 
I  into  hou- 
themselves 
Howe  hav- 
imall  copse, 
snemy,  du- 
iaps ;  while 
rainst  their 
were  total- 
ition.  The 
I  regiment, 

a  body  of 

•y,    waiting 

the  Biitish 

t  the  same 

nded  at  the 

stinguished 

mmand  de- 

ned   to  the 

n  the  pur- 

expedition. 

vhen  M  de 

fresh  men, 

had  begun 

eceived  in- 

the  heights 

o  have  any 

dintcly  or- 

irtillery,  to 

t  their  ap- 

re  General 

r  a  precari- 

j)lete  victo- 

\,  and  was 

I,  whicli  it 

he  French 

)tHided'  in 
n  whenco. 


before  he  died,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  General  Towns- 
hend,  recommending  the  prisoners  to  that  geneious  hu- 
manity by  which  the  British  nation  is  distinguished. 
His  second  in  command  was  left  wounded  on  the  field ; 
and  next  day  expired  on  board  an  English  ship,  to 
which  he  had  been  conveyed.  About  one  thousand  of 
the  enemy  were  made  prisoners,  including  a  great  num- 
ber of  officers;  and  about  five  hundred  were  slain  on 
the  field  of  battle.  The  wreck  of  their  army,  after 
they  had  reinforced  the  gan-ison  of  Quebec,  retired  to 
Point-au-Tremble ;  from  whence  they  proceeded  to 
Jacques  Quatiers,  where  they  remained  intrenched  un- 
til they  were  compelled  by  the  severity  of  the  weather 
to  make  the  best  of  their  way  to  Trois  Rivieres  and 
Montreal.  This  important  victory  was  obtained  at  the 
expense  of  fifty  men  killed,  including  nine  officers  :  but 
the  death  of  General  Wolfe  was  a  national  loss,  uni- 
versally lamented.  He  inherited  from  nature  an  ani- 
mating fervor  of  sentiment,  an  intuitive  perception,  an 
extensive  capacity,  and  a  passion  for  glory,  which  stim- 
ulated him  to  acquire  every  species  of  military  knowl- 
edge that  study  could  comprehend,  that  actual  sei"vice 
could  illustrate  and  confirm.  This  noble  warmth  of 
disposition  seldom  fails  to  call  forth  and  unfuld  the  lib- 
eral virtues  of  the  soul  Brave  above -all  estimation  of 
danger,  he  was  also  generous,  gentle,  complacent,  and 
humane  ;  the  pattern  of  the  officer,  the  darling  of  the 
soldier;  there  was  a  sublimity  in  his  genius  which  soar- 
ed above  the  pitch  of  ordinary  minds  ;  and  had  his  fac- 
ulties been  exercised  to  their  full  extent  by  opportuni- 
ty and  action,  had  iiis  judgment  been  fully  matured  by 
age  and  experience,  he  would  without  doubt  have  ri- 
valled in  reputation  the  most  celebrated  captains  of  an- 
tiquity. 

Immediately  after  the  battle  of  Quebec,  Admiml 
Saunders,  who,  together  witli  his  subordinates  Durrel 
and  Holmes,  had  all  along  co-operated  heartily  with  tho 
land  forces  for  the  advantage  of  tho  service,  sent  up  all 


k 


88 


CAMPAIGN 


the  boats  of  the  fleet  with  artillery  and  ammunition : 
and  on  the  seventeenth  day  of  the  month  sailed  up, 
with  all  the  ships  of  war,  in  a  disposition  to  attack  the 
lower  town,  whilfe  the  upper  part  should  be  assaulted 
by  General  Townshend.  This  gentleman  had  employ- 
ed the  time  from  the  day  of  action  in  securing  the  camp 
with  redoubts,  in  forming  a  military  road  for  the  can- 
non, in  drawing  up  the  artillery,  preparing  batteries, 
and  cutting  off'  the  enemy's  communication  with  the 
country.  On  the  seventeenth,  before  any  battery  could 
be  finished,  a  flag  of  truce  was  sent  from  the  toWn  with 
proposals  of  capitulation ;  which,  being  maturely  con- 
sidered by  the  General  and  Admiral,  were  accepted, 
and  signed  at  eight  next  morning.  They  granted  the 
more  favorable  terms,  as  the  enemy  continued  to  as- 
semble in  the  rear  of  the  British  army ;  as  the  season 
was  become  wet,  stormy,  and  cold,  threatening  the 
troops  with  sickness,  and  the  fleet  with  accident,  and 
as  a  considerable. gd vantage  would  result  from  taking 
possession  of  ^tiie  town  while  the  walls  were  in  a  state 
of  defence.  What  rendered  the  capitulation  still  more 
fortunate  for  the  British  General,  was  the  information 
he  afterwards  received  from  deserters,  that  the  enemy 
bad  rallied,  and  were  reinforced  behind  Cape  Rogue, 
under  the  command  of  M.  de  Levy,  arrived  from  Mont- 
real for  that  purpose,  with  two  regular  battalions ;  and 
that  M.  de  Bougainville,  at  the  head  of  eight  hundred 
men,  with  a  convoy  of  provisions,  was  actually  on  his 
march  to  throw  himself  mto  the  town  on  the  e\.(hteenth, 
that  very  morning  on  which  it  was  suirendered.  The 
place  was  not  then  completely  invested,  as  the  enemy 
nad  broke  the  bridge  of  boats,  and  posted  detachments 
in  very  strong  works  on  the  other  side  of  the  river  St. 
Charles.  The  capitulation  was  no  sooner  ratified,  than 
the  British  forces  took  possession  of  Quebec  on  the 
land  side ;  and  guards  were  posted  in  different  parts  of 
the  town,  to  preserve  order  and  discipline  ;  at  the  same 
time  Captain  Palliser,  with  a  body  oz  seamen,  entered 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 

tlie  lower  town,  and  took  the  same  precautions.  Next 
day  about  a  thousand  prisoners  were  embarked  on  board 
transports,  which  proceeded  to  France  with  the  first 
opportunity.  Meanwhile  the  inhabitants  of  the  coun- 
try came  in  great  numbers  to  deliver  up  their  arms, 
and  take  the  oath  of  fidelity  to  the  English  govern- 
ment. The  death  of  Montcalm,  which  was  indeed 
an  irreparable  loss  to  France,  in  all  probability  over- 
whelmed the  enemy  with  consternation,  and  confound- 
ed all,  their  councils  ;  otherwise  we  cannot  account  for 
the  tame  suiTender  of  Quebec  to  a  handful  of  troops, 
even  after  the  victory  they  had  obtained  :.for  although 
the  place  was  not  regularly  fortified  on  the  land  side, 
and  most  of  the  houses  were  in  ruins,  their  walls  and 
parapets  had  not  yet  sustained  the  least  damage  ;  the 
besiegers  were  hardly  sufficient  to  complete  the  inves- 
titure ;  a  fresh  army  was  assembled  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, with  which  their  communication  continued  open; 
the  season  was  ao  far  advanced  that  the  British  forces 
in  a  little  time  must  have  been  forced  to  desist  by  the 
severity  of  the  weather,  and  even  retire  with  their  fleet 
before  the  approach  of  winter,  which  never  fails  to 
freeze  up  the  river  St.  Lawrence." 

[Mr.  Henry*s  JVarrative  reaumed."] 

November  I5ih.  Arriving  on  ihe  brow  of  the 
precipue,  we  found  ourselves  on  the  plains  of  Abra- 
ham, 80  deservedly  famous  in  story.  The  morning 
was  cold,  and  we  were  thinly  clad.  While  an  ad- 
venturous party  despatched  by  Arnold,  under  i  he  com- 
mand of  one  of  Morgan's  Lieutenants,  were  exam- 
ining the  walls  of  the  city,  we  were  pacing  the  plains 
to-and-fro,  in  silence,  to  keep  ourselves  warm.  The 
winter  had  set  in — a  cold  northwester  blew  with  un- 
common keenness.  By  (he  tune  the  recounoilering 
party  returned,  daylight  was  not  very  distant.  'Ihe 
party  found  evety  thing  iv-wards  the  city  in  u  state  of 
perfect  quieiutue.     Thiu  rcpoit  was  delivered,  in  my 


51' 


"if-  ....   , 


\i>'  'i 


Ift;., 


w 


Ml 


'As 


ii; 


^ 


H>. 


CAMPAIGN 


hearing,  to  Morgan,  however  the  world  may  have 
since  been  made  to  believe.  Not  even  the  cry  of 
"  All's  well"  was  uttered,  was  a  part  of  their  report ; 
yet  we  heard  that  cry  from  the  walls,  even  vrhere  we 
were :  but  this,  in  a  direct  line,  v^^as  nearer  to  us  than 
the  voices  opposite  to  the  party.  This  was  the  hap- 
py moment ;  but  with  our  small  and  disjointed  force, 
what  could  be  done  ?  There  was  scarcely  more  than 
thiee  hundred  and  fifty  men,  willing  and  determined 
to  be  sure,  but  too  few  to  assail  a  fortress  like  due- 
bee.  If  that  had  been  known  this  night  which  was 
evidenced  in'a  few  days  by  the  fugitives  from  the 
city,  Arnold  woidd  most  assuredly  have  hazarded  an 
attack.  St.  John's  gate,  which  opens  on  Abraham's 
plains,  and  is  a  most  important  station,  was  unbar- 
red, nay,  unclosed  :  nothing  but  a  single  cannon  un- 
der the  care  of  a  drowsy  watch,  was  there  as  a  de- 
fence ;  we  were  not  a  mile  distant,  and  might  have 
entered  unknown,  and  even  unseen.  These  are  un- 
certain opinions,  resting  on  the  vague  reports  of  the 
moment,  which  might  have  been  true  or  untrue.  My 
memory  is,  however,  fresh  in  the  recollection  of  the 
heart-burnings  this  failure  caused  among  us.  Prov- 
idence, for  wise  pur|X)ses,  would  have  it  otherwise. 
Near  daylight,  requiring  rest  and  refreshment,  the 
trcMips  moved  a  mile,  to  a  farm-house  of  Lieutenant 
Governor  Caldwell.  This  was  a  great  pile  of  wood- 
en buildings,  with  rmmerous  out-houses,  which  tes- 
tified the  agricultural  spirit  and  taste  of  (he  owner. 
He,  good  soul,  was  then  snug  in  Quebec.  Thor« 
who  came  first  fared  well,  and  as  It'ck  would  have 
it,  we  were  of  the  number :  every  ining  wn«.hin  and 
without  the  house,  became  a  prey.  Adversity  had 
destroyed  in  our  minds  every  decorous  or  delicate  sen- 
tation.  Guards  were  stationed  next  the  city.  Wrap- 
ped ill  my  blanket*  leaiieas  of  events^  castii^g  my 


i 


AGAtNSt  QtEBEC. 


may  have 
the  cry  of 
eir  report ; 
I  where  we 
to  us  than 
IS  the  hap- 
in  led  force, 
more  than 
Jeter  mined 
like  Q,iie- 
which  was 
J  from  the 
azarded  an 
Abraham's 
vas  unbar- 
;annon  un- 
ire  as  a  de- 
light have 
lese  are  un- 
ions of  the 
nirue.  My 
ion  of  the 
us.  Prov- 
otherwise. 
iment,  the 
lieutenant 
of  wood- 
which  tes- 
he  owner. 


Ic.  Thor^ 
ould  have 
i;in«,hin  and 
ersity  had 
elicaie  sen- 
y.   Wrap- 

astiog  my 


person  on  the  floor  of  an  elegant  parlor,  I  slept  sweet- 
ly and  soundly  till  two  in  the  afternoon,  and  then 
was  roused  solely  by  a  cry  that  the  enemy  was  ad- 
vancing. We  flew  to  arms,  and  rather  in  a  hurried 
manner,  ran  tow^ards  the  city,  which  was  nearly  two 
miles  from  us.  We  saw  no  enemy.  It  Unned  out 
^^^^^  a  Mr.  Ogden,  a  cadet  from  Jersey,  a  large  and 
handsome  you hg  %ian,  in  favor  wiih  Arnold,  had 
been  authorized  to  place  (he  sentinels  that  day.  He 
did  place  them,  most  stupidly.  George  Merchant,  of 
Morgan's,  a  man  who  would  at  any  time,  give  him 
fair-play,  have  sold  his  lilie  dearly,  he  stationed  in  a 
thicket,  within  view  of  the  enemy.  At  the  time  of 
placing  him,  when  at  his  post,  he  was  out  of  sight 
of  the  garrison  ;  but  the  mischief  was,  (though  he 
could  not  be  seen,)  he  could  see  no  one  approach  ; 
he  was  taken  ^bsoluiel}^  unaware  of  danger.  A  ser- 
geant of  the  "  seventh,"  who,  from  the  manner  of 
the  thing;  must  have  been  clever,  accompanied  by  a 
few  privates,  slily  creeping  through  the  streets  of  the 
suburbs  of  St.  John,  and  then  under  the  cover  of  the 
bushes,  sprung  upon  the  devoted  Merchant,  even  be- 
fore he  hud  time  to  cock  his  rifle.  Merchant  was  %^ 
tall  and  handsome  Virginian.  In  a  few  days,  h«^ 
hunting-shirt  and  all,  was  sent  to  England,  proba- 
bly as  a  finished  specimen  of  the  riflemen  of  the  col- 
onies. The  government  there  very  liberally  sent  him 
home  in  the  following  year. 

The  capture  of  Merchant  grieved  us,  and  brought 
us  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  city.  Arnold 
had  (he  lx)ldnesri,  you  might  say  the  audacity,  or  still 
more  c^irrecily,  the  folly,  to  draw  us  up  in  a  line  in 
front  and  opposite  to  the  wall  of  the  city.  The  par- 
apet was  lined  by  hundreds  of  gaping  citizens  and 
■oldiers,  whom  our  guns  could  not  harm,  because  of 
the  4i0taice.    They  gave  us  a  hu2za  I    We  return- 


m^ 


Ai 


m 
m 


iM^i"-iBtiiii-'-'*-^s^'-^^-  - 


m 


CAMPAIGN 


-i-^^ 


i 


ed  it,  and  remained  a  considerable  time  huzzaing, 
and  spending  our  powder  against  the  walls,  for  we 
harmed  no  one.  Some  of  our  men  to  the  right,  un- 
der cover  of  something  like  ancient  ditches  and  hil- 
locks, crept  forward  within  two  hundred  yards  of  the 
works,  but  their  firing  was  disregarded  by  the  enemy 
as  farcical.  Febiger,  who  was  a  real  and  well-in- 
Blructed  soldier  and  engineer,  did  advance  singly 
within  a  hundred  paces,  and  pored  with  the  eye  of 
an  adept.  During  all  this,  as  my  station  in  the  line 
happened  to  be  on  a  mound,  a  few  feet  higher  than 
the  common  level  of  the  plain,  it  was  perceptible 
through  the  embrasures  that  there  was  a  vast  bustle 
within.  After  some  minute?  a  thirty-six  pounder  was 
let  loose  upon  us  ;  but  so  ill  was  the  gun  pointed, 
that  the  ball  fell  short,  or  passed  high  over  our  heads. 
Another  and  another  succeeded — to  these  salutes,  we 
gave  them  all  we  could,  another  and  another  huzza. 
It  must  be  confessed  that  this  ridiculous  affair  gave 
me  a  contemptible  opinion  of  Arnold.  This  notion 
was  by  no  means  singular.  Morgan,  Febiger,  and 
other  officers,  who  had  seen  service,  did  not  hesitate 
to  speak  of  it  in  that  point  of  view.  However,  Ar- 
nold had  a  vain  desire  to  gratify,  of  which  we  were 
then  ignorant.  He  was  well  known  at  Q,uebec. 
Formerly  he  had  traded  from  this  port  to  the  West 
Indies,  most  particularly  in  the  article  of  horses. — 
Hence  he  was  despised  by  the  principal  people.  The 
epithet  of  "  Horse-jockey,"  was  freely  and  universal- 
ly bestowed  upon  him  by  the  Biitish.  Having  now 
obtained  power,  he  became  anxious  to  display  it  in 
the  faces  of  those  who  had  formerly  despised  and 
contemned  him.  The  venerable  Carletorv,  an  Irish- 
man of  a  most  amiable  and  mild  character.  Colonel 
Maclean,  a  Scotchman,  old  in  warfare,  would  not,  io 
any  shape,  communicate  with  him.    If  Montgomery 


it 


AOAINST  QUEBEC. 


huzzaing, 
Is,  for  we 
right,  un- 
9  and  hil- 
ards  of  the 
lie  enemy 
J  well-in- 
ice  singly 
the  eye  of 
in  the  line 
gher  than 
perceptible 
^ast  bustle 
under  was 
in  pointed, 
our  heads, 
sal  u  1^8,  we 
ler  huzza, 
^iffair  gave 
his  notion 
biger,  and 
ot  hesitate 
vever,  Ar- 
i  we  were 
Quebec, 
the  West 
horses. — 
)ple.    The 
iniiversal- 
tiving  now 
play  it  in 
pised  and 
,  an  Irish- 
r,  Colonel 
uld  not,  ia 
)ntgomery 


bad  originally  been  our  commander,  matters  might 
have  been  more  civilly  conducted.  This  particulari- 
ty in  relating  a  most  trivial  and  disgusting  occur- 
rence, arises  from  a  desire  to  set  befiire  you  a  cau- 
tionary rule,  which  it  will  be  prudent  for  you  to  ob- 
serve in  your  historical  reading.  "  Do  not  believe 
"  an  author  unless  the  story  he  relates  be  probable, 
^'accompanied  by  such  circumstances  as  might  rea- 
"  sonably  attend  the  transaction,  unless  he  is  corrob- 
"  orated  by  others  who  speak  on  that  subject."  Many 
of  our  wisest  men  within  the  colonies  wrote  and 
spoke  of  this  bravading  as  a  matter  of  moment,  and 
with  much  applause.  Some  of  our  historian.'^,  (Gor- 
don,) have  given  it  celebrity.  Jkii  a  more  silly  and 
boastful  British  historian,  (Amwell,)  says  there  was 
a  dreadful  cannonadf,  by  which  many  of  the  rebels 
were  destroyed.  The  truth  is,  that  this  day  not  a 
drop  of  blood  was  shed  but  that  of  Governor  Cald- 
weirs  horned  cattle,  hogs,  and  poultry,  which  run 
plentifully.  Alter  this  victory  in  huzzaing,  which 
was  boy's  play,  and  suited  me  to  a  hair,  we  return- 
ed to  quarters  to  partake  of  the  good  things  of  this 
world. 

'J  he  next  day,  ^Nov.  15th,)  a  scene  of  a  different 
kind  opened,  which  let  us  into  the  true  character  of 
Arnold.  In  the  wilderness  the  men  had  been  stint- 
ed to  a  pint  of  flour  by  the  day.  This  scanty  allow- 
ance of  flour  had  been  continued  since  we  had  come 
into  this  plentiful  country.  Morgan,  Hendricks,  and 
Smith,  waited  upon  the  commander-in-chief,  to  rep- 
resent the  grievance  and  obtain  redress.  AitercatioQ 
and  warm  language  took  place.  Smith,  with  his  u- 
Bual  loquacity,  told  us  that  Morgan  seemed  at  one 
time  on  the  |X)int  of  striking  Arnold.  We  fared  the 
better  for  this  interview. 

Oa  the  following  day,  (Nov.  16th,)  the  rifle-com- 


!:■■ 


J3 


^'^ 


^^^.2^ 
O  .V^,^. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


11.25 


■JO  ^^~     H^H 

«f  Bi   |2.2 

u  124 


2.0 


HiotogFajJiic 

ScMioes 

CorpQratiQn 


^ 


<^ 


^. 


^. 


31  WIST  MAIN  ITIHT 

\MIMTIR,N.Y.  UIM 

(n*)l71-4IOI 


4^ 


> 


4t^ 


'\i 


<\ 


u 


CAllPAtGl^^ 


panies  removed  further  from  the  city.  About  half  a 
mile  from  Caldwell's  liou»e  our  company  obtained  ex^ 
Cellenl  quarters,  in  the  house  uf  a  French  gentleman, 
who  seemed  wealthy.  He  was  pleasing  in  his  man- 
ners, but  the  rudeness  our  ungovernable  men  exhib- 
ited, created  in  him  an  apparent  disgust  towards  us. 
Here  we  remained  near  a  week.  l>uring  thai  time, 
we  had  constant  and  severe  duty  to  perform.  There 
was  a  large  building  on  the  low  grounds,  near  the 
river  St.  Charles,  which  was  occupied  as  a  nunnery, 
by  a  ntost  respectable  society  of  ladies.  In  front  of 
this  house,  at  the  distance  of  fifty  yards,  there  was  a 
spacious  log  building,  which  seemed  to  be  a  school- 
house,  occupied  by  the  priesthood  attendant  on  the 
nunnery.  This  liouse  we  took  fjossession  of  as  a 
guard-house,  under  an  idea,  (as  it  stood  directly  be- 
tween the  town  and  the  nunnery,  which  contained 
some  precious  deposited,  that  they  had  not  had  time 
to  remove,)  that  the  enemy  would  not  fire  in  this  di- 
rection.    The  conjecture  was  just. 

Nov.  16ih. — In  the  afternoon  a  distreeeing  occur- 
rence took  place  here,  notwithstanding  our  vicinity  to 
this  holy  place.  Towards  t  he  evening  the  guard  was 
relieved.  Lieutenant  Simpson  commanded  it.  This 
guard  was  composed  of  two-and-twenty  fine  fellows 
of  out  company.  When  the  relief-guard  came,  a 
Frenchman,  of  a  must  villainous  appearance,  both  as 
to  person  and  visage,  came  to  our  Lieutenant  with  a 
written  order  from  Colonel  Ai  nold,  conmianding  him 
to  accompany  the  bearer,  ^ho  would  be  our  guide  a- 
crora  the  river  St.  Charles,  to  obtain  some  cattle  feed- 
ing beyond  it,  on  the  account  of  government.  The 
order,  in  the  first  instance,  because  of  its  preposter- 
oufiness,  was  doubted,  but,  upon  a  little  refleciioo,  o- 
beyed.  Knowing  the  danger,  our  worthy  Lieuten- 
ant alio  knew  the  best  aod  only  means  of  executing 


ibout  half  a 

obtained  ex^ 

gentleman, 

in  his  man- 

men  exhib- 

to^aiilR  us. 

ig  that  time, 

>rm.    There 

Is,   near  the 

)  a  nunnery, 

In  front  of 

there  i^as a 

be  a  eschooi- 

dant  un  the 

Bion  of  as  a 

1  directly  he- 

:h  contained 

lot  had  time 

re  in  this  di- 

4.;. 

ifwing  occur- 
ur  vicinity  to 
le  guard  >v  as 
edit.  This 
1  fine  fellows 
ird  came,  a 
I  nee,  both  as 
nam  "with  a 
landing  him 
our  guide  a- 
e  cattle  leed- 
nent.  The 
prepoeter- 
reflection,  o- 
hy  Lieuten- 
»f  ezeculing 


the  enterprize.  The  call  "  come  on,  lads  "  was  ut- 
tered. We  ran  with  speed  from  the  guard-house 
some  hundreds  of  yards  over  the  plain  to  the  mouth 
of  the  St.  Charles,  where  the  ferry  is.  Near  the  fer- 
ry there  was  a  large  wind-mill,  and  near  it  stood  a 
smair house  resembling  a  cooper's  shop.  Two  carts 
of  a  large  size  were  passing  the  ferry  heavily  laden 
with  the  household-stuif,  women,  and  children  of  the 
townsmen  flying  from  ihesubuibsof  St.  Roqiie,  con- 
tiguous to  palace-gate,  to  avoid  the  terrible  and  fatal 
ejects  of  war.  The  carts  were  already  in  a  large 
scow  or  flat-bottomed  boat,  and  the  ferrymen,  seeing 
us  coming,  were  tugging  hard  at  the  ferry-rope  to  get 
ofl"  the  Ixmt,  which  was  aground,  before  we  should 
arrive.  It  was  no  small  matter,  in  exertion,  to  out- 
do people  of  our  agility.  Simpson,  with  his  usual 
good  humor,  urged  the  race,  from  a  hope  that  the 
garrison  would  not  flre  upon  us  when  in  the  boat  with 
their  flying  townsmen.  The  weight  of  our  bodies 
and  arms  put  the  boat  aground  irk  good  earnest.— i- 
Simpson  vociferously  urging  the  men  to  free  the  boat, 
directed  them  to  place  their  guns  in  my  arms,  stand- 
ing oii  the  bow.  He  ordered  me  to  watch  the  flash- 
es of  the  cannon*  of  the  city,  near  palace  gate. — 
Jumping  into  the  water  mid-deep,  all  but  Serjeont 
Dixon  and  myself,  they  were  pushing,  pulling,  and 
with  handspikes  attempting  to  float  the  scow.  One 
of  the  carts  stood  between  Dixon  and  myself—he 
was  tugging  at  the  ferry  rope.  Presently  *♦  a  shot," 
was  catied  ;  it  went  wide  of  the  boat,  its  mark.  The 
exertions  of  the  party  were  redoubled.  Keeping  an 
eye  upon  the  town,  the  aun  about  setting  in  a  clear 

*TI»it  WM  a  ridiculoQfi  piMlic«,aniver«illy  tdopted  in  Ihc  ctmp 
■ear  Bupttm,  anU  wu  now  pumiied  it  tMs  place.  It  U  m«r«l>  da- 
signal ive  of  the  r^w  aoldier.  Such  iadicatloM  of  Utu  ahouM  "ow* 
■Khi^i  te  Mttttly  reprimiiKM.  -^ 


i 


^  1 


ii 


i  > 


CAMPAIGN 


sky,  the  view  was  beautiful  indeed,  but  somewhat 
terrific.  Baitlements  like  these  had  been  unknown 
to  me.  Our  boat  lay  like  a  rock  in  the  water,  and 
was  a  targf^t  at  point  blank  e;hot  atK)ut  three-fourfhs 
of  a  mile  from  palace  gate,  which  issues  into  Saint 
Roque.  I  would  have  adored  all  the  saints  in  the 
calendar  if  honor  and  their  worships  would  have  per- 
mitted the  transportation  of  my  person  a  few  perches 
from  the  spot  where  it  then  stood,  by  the  austere  com- 
mand of  duty.  It  was  plainly  observable  that  many 
persons  were  engaged  in  preparing  the  guns  for  an- 
othor  discharge.  Our  brave  men  were  straining  ev' 
ery  nerve  to  obtain  success.  **  A  shot,"  was  all  that 
could  be  said,  when  a  thirty-six  pound  ball,  touching* 
the  lower  edge  of  the  nob  of  the  cart-wheel,  descend- 
ing a  little,  took  the  leg  of  my  patriotic  friend  below 
the  knee,  and  carried  away  the  bones  of  that  part 
entirely.  '*  Oh  !  Simpson/'  he  cried,  '*  I  am  gone.'' 
Simpson,  whose  heart  was  tender  and  kind,  leaped 
into  the  boat :  calling  to  the  men,  the  person  of  Dix- 
on was  borne  to  the  wind-mill.  Now  a  roar  of  tri- 
umph was  heard  from  the  city,  accompanied  by  some 
tolerably  well  directed  shuts.  The  unfoi tunate  man 
was  borne  at  a  slow  and  solemn  pace  to  the  guard- 
bouse — the  enemy  every  now  and  then  sending  us 
his  majesty's  compliments,  in  the  shape  of  a  24  or 
36  pound  ball.  When  tlie  procession  came  into  a 
line  with  the  town,  the  guard-house,  and  nunnerv, 
the  firing  censed.  At  the  time  we  were  most  busily 
engaged  with  Dixon,  at  the  wind-mill,the  vile  French- 
man, aghast  and  horror-stricken,  fled  from  us  to  the 
city.  If  his  desertu>n  had  been  noticed  in  lime,  his 
fate  had  been  sealed  ;  but  the  rascal  was  unobserv- 
ed till  he  had  run  several  hundred  yards  along  the 
beach  of  the  bay  of  St.  Charles.  He  turned  out  to 
bo  a  spy,  puiposaly  aeni  by  governmeni  to  docoy  aod 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


n 


entrap  us,  and  he  succeeded  but  too  easily  with  the 
vigilant  Arnold.  Dixon  was  now  carried  on  a  litter 
to  the  house  of  an  English  gentleman,  about  a  mile 
off.  An  amputation  took  place— a  tetanus  followed, 
which,  about  nine  o'clock  of  the  ensuing  day,  ended 
in  the  dissolution  of  this  honorable  citizen  and  sol- 
dier. There  are  many  reasons  for  detailing  this  af- 
fair so  minutely  to  you.  Among  these  are,  to  impress 
upon  your  minds  an  idea  of  the  manners  and  spirit 
of  those  times :  our  means  and  rude  method  of  war- 
fare ;  but  more  particularly  for  the  purpose  of  intro- 
ducing to  your  observation  an  anecdote  of  Dixon, 
which  is  characteristic  of  the  ideas  and  feelings  then 
entertiiined  by  the  generality  of  his  countrymen.  Be- 
fore we  left  our  native  homes,  tea  had,  as  it  were,  be- 
come an  abomination  even  to  the  ladies.  The  taxa- 
tion of  it  by  the  Parliament  of  England,  with  de- 
sign to  draw  from  us  a  trifling  revenue,  was-  made 
the  pretence  with  the  great  body  of  the  people,  for 
our  opposition  to  government.  The  true  ground, 
however,  with  the  politically  wise,  was,  thai  thai  law 
annihilated  our  rights  as  Englishmen.  It  is  an  ax- 
iom of  the  common  law  of  our  glorious  ancestors, 
that  taxati^on  and  representation  must  ga  hand  in 
hand.  This  rule  was  now  violated.  Hence  it  was, 
that  no  male  or  female,  knowing  their  rights,  if  pos- 
sessed of  the  least  spark  of  patriotism,  would  deign 
to  taste  of  f  hat  deHghtful  beverage.  The  lady  of  the 
house,  though  not  one  who  approved  of  our  principles 
of  action,  was  very  attentive  to  our  wounded  com- 
panion ;  she  presented  him  a  bowl  of  tea :  **  No, 
madam,''  sakl  he,  *Vii  is  the  ruin  of  my  country." 

Uttering  this  noble  sentiment,  (Nov.  I7ih,)  this  in» 
valuable  citizen  died,  sincerely  lamented  bv  every  one 
who  had  the  opportunity  of  knowing  his  virtues. 
Dixon  wag  a  geouman  of  good  property  and  odu- 


i! 


M 


CAMPAIGN 


r 


cation,  though  no  more  than  the  first  sergeant  of  our 
company.  His  estate  lay  in  West  Hanover  town* 
ship,  in  the  county  of  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  an  agriculturist,  which,  in  the  vagueness  and 
uncertainty  of  our  language,  is  called.  "  a  farmer." 
In  fact  he  was  a  freeholder,  the  possessor  of  an  ex- 
cellent tract  of  land,  accompanied  by  all  those  agree- 
ables  which  render  the  cultivator  of  the  earth,  in 
Pennsylvania,  the  most  independent,  and,  with  pru- 
dent economy,  the  most  happy  of  human  beings. 
The  following  morning,  Simpson  was  the  first  to 
give  me  an  account  of  Dixon's  death,  which  affect- 
ed us  much.  His  corpse  received  the  usual  military 
honors.  Duty  compelled  my  absence  *^elsewhere. 
The  blood  of  Dixon  was  the  first  oblation  made  up- 
on ihe  altar  of  liberty  at  Quebec,  and  Merchant  was 
the  first  prisoner.  The  latter  was  a  brave  and  de- 
termined soldier,  fitted  for  suliordiuate  station  ;  the 
former  was  intuitively  a  captain.  The  city  and  vi- 
cinity occupied  the  attention  of  the  dommander  near- 
ly a  week 

Nov.  18th. — Not  being  fully  in  the  secret,  it  does 
not  become  me  to  recount  the  causes  of  ouf  retreat 
tp  Point  aux  Tremble.  We  did,  however,  make  this 
retrograde  movement  rather  in  a  slovenly  style,  ac- 
companied, probably,  by  the  maledictions  of  the  cler- 
gy and  nobility,  but  attended  by  the  regrets  of  a  host 
of  well-wishers  among  the  peasantry.  Point  aux 
Tremble  is  at  the  distance  of  twenty,  or  more,  miles 
from  Quebec.  The  route^  thither,  though  in  a  se- 
vere winter,  was  interesting.  The  woods  were  leaf- 
less, except  as  to  those  trees  of  the  fir>kind  ;  but  nu- 
merous neat  and  handsomely-situated  farnt-hou^es, 
and  many  beautiful  landscapes  were  presented,  and 
enlivened  our  march  along  this  majestic  stream.  At 
Detroil,  which  b  auppoNd  lo  be  litUe  abort  of  nine 


eant  of  our 
over  town- 
vania.    He 
iieness  and 
a  farmer." 
ir  of  an  ex- 
ihose  agree- 
e  earth,  in 
I,  with  pru- 
lan  heings. 
ihc  first  to 
hich  affect- 
ual  military 
•elsewhere, 
n  made  up- 
erchant  was 
ve  and  de- 
station  ;  the 
city  and  vi- 
lander  ncar- 

cret,  it  does 
our  retreat 
jr,  make  this 
y  style,  ac- 
B  of  the  cler- 
ets  of  a  host 
Point  aux 
more,  miles 
igh  in  a  se- 
\9  were  leaf- 
nd ;  butnu- 
'Hrin-hou^es, 
Ktented,  and 
itream.  At 
bri  of  nine 


A6AINST  QtJElfiiiCI.  Ml 

hundred  miles  from  Quebec,  even  there  it  is  no  con- 
temptible river ;  but  here  the  immense  volume  of  its 
waters,  strikes  the  mind  uf  the  stranger  with  aston- 
ishment and  rapture.  Our  Susquehanna,  which, 
from  its  grandeur,  attracts  the  European  eye,  stands 
in  a  low  grade  ^^h**"  compared  with  the  St.*  Law- 
rence. Ascending  the  river,  at  a  distance  of  ten  or 
fifteen  miles  we  observed  the  rapid  passage,  down 
stream,  of  a  boat,  and  soon  afterwards  of  a  ship,  one 
or  the  other  of  which  contained  the  person  of  Sir 
Guy  Carleton.  That  it  was  the  Governor  of  the 
province,  flying  from  Montgomery,  who  had  by  this 
time  captured  Montreal,  we  were  informeit  by  a  spe- 
cial kind  of  messenger,  which  was  no  other  than  the 
report  of  the  cannon,  by  way  of  feu-de^foie,  upon  his 
arrival  at  the  capital.  Water,  in  regard  to  the  com- 
munication of  sound,  is  nearly  as  good  a  conductor 
as  metals  are,  for  the  transmission  of  the  electric  flu- 
id. Though  near  to  the  place  of  our  destination,  we 
could  mark  with  precision  the  report  of  every  gun. 
Point  aux  Tremble,  at  this  time,  had  assumed  the 
appearance  of  a  stiaggling  village.  There  was  a 
spacious  phapel,  where  the  ceremonies  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  religion  were  performed  with  a  pomp  not 
seen  in  our  churches,  hut  by  a  fervenr.y  and  zeal  ap- 
parently very  pious,  which  became  a  severe  and  ad- 
ditional stroke  at  early  prejudices.  Quarters  were 
obtained  in  the  village  and  farm  houses,  dispersed  o« 
ver  a  space  of  some  miles,  up  and  down  the  river. 
We  enjoyed  as  much  comfort  as  tight  houses,  warm 
fires,  and  our  scantiness  of  clothing  would  admit. 
Provisions  were  in  plenty,  particularly  beef,  which, 
though  small  in  bulk,  was  of  an  excellent  flavor. 
Being  in  a  few  da>s  domesticated,  as  it  were,  in  a  re- 
spectable farmer's  house,  we  had  leistire  to  observe 
tne  economy  of  the  family.    Every  crevice  through 


^1 


i.- 


leo 


CAMPAIGN 


which  cold  air  could  penetrate,-  was  carefully  pasted 
with  strips  of  paper  of  every  color.  To  permit  the 
cold  air  to  intrude  is  not  the  only  evil  which  results  ; 
hut  the  smallest  interstice  adii»its  with  the  air  an  al- 
fnost  impalpable  snow,  which  is  very  inconvenient, 
particularly  at  night,  when  the  winds  bjow  most 
sharply.  A  stove  of  iron  stood  a  small  space  from 
tlie  wall  of  the  kitchen  chimney,  but  in  such  a  way 
that  it  might  be  encompassed  by  the  family  or  guests. 
This  stove  was  kept  continually  hot,  both  by  day 
and  by  night.  Over  the  stove  there  is  a  rack  so  con- 
structed as  to  serve  for  the  drying  of  wet  clothes, 
moccasins,  6u.  &,c.  When  these  people  slaughter 
their  beasts  for  winter  use,  they  cut  up  the  meat  in* 
to  small  pieces,  such  as  a  half  pound,  two  pounds, 
^c.  according  to  the  number  in  the  family.  In  the 
evening  before  bedtime,  the  females  of  the  house  pre- 
fNire  the  dinner  of  the  following  day.  It  may  be  par- 
ticularly described,  as  it  was  done  in  our  view  for  a 
number  of  days  together,  and  during  the  time  was 
never  varied.  This  was  the  manner :  a  pieceof  pork 
or  beef,  or  a  portion  of  each  kind,  together  with  a  suf* 
ficiency  of  cabbage,  potatoes,  and  turnips,  seasoned 
with  salt,  and  an  adequate  quantity  of  water,  were 
put  into  a  neat  tin  kettle  with  a  close  lid.  The  ket- 
tle, thus  replenished,  was  placed  on  the  stove  in  the 
room  where  we  all  slept,  and  there  it  simmered  till 
the  time  of  rising,  when  it  was  taken  to  a  small  fire 
in  the  kitchen,  where  a  stewing  continued  till  near 
noon,  when  they  dined.  The  contents  were  turned 
into  a  large  basin.  Each  person  had  a  ptate;  no 
knife  was  used,  except  one  to  cut  the  bread,  but  a 
five  or  six  pronged  fork  answered  the  purposes  of  a 
spoon.  The  meat  required  no  cutting,  as  it  was  re- 
duced to  a  mucilage,  or  at  least  to  shreds.  This, 
you  may  say,  is  trifling  information,  and  unworthy 


AOAtN^T  ^tncBEa 


101 


of  yotir  notice  j  but  according  (o  my  mind,  it  is  \m* 
portant  to  all  of  US)  to  know  the  habits,  manners, 
and  means  of  existence  of  that  class  of  society,  which 
in  all  nations,  compose  the  bulk  and  strength  of  the 
body  politic.  Our  dinner  followed  in  a  few  hours. 
The  manner  of  our  cookery  excited  astonishment  in 
our  hosts.  As  much  beef  was  consumed  at  a  shigle 
meal,  as  would  have  served  this  family  for  a  week. 
Remember,  however,  that  the  mess  consisted  of  per^ 
sons  who  were  entitled  to  double  and  treble  rations. 
Two  rosy  cheeked  daughters  of  the  house,  soon  con^ 
trived  the  means  and  obtained  the  surplus.  This 
circumstance  most  probably  made  us  agreeable  to  the 
family,  for  we  had  nothing  else  to  bestow. 

The  snow  had  now  fallen  in  abundance,  and  en- 
livened the  country.  Sleighs  and  sleds  were  passing 
in  every  direction.  The  farmers  began  to  supply 
themselves  with  a  full  stock  of  winter's  fuel  from  the 
forest.  No  fowls  were  visible  about  the  house ;  a  few. 
were  kept  alive  for  breeding  in  the  ensuing  summer, 
in  a  close  and  warm  coop  in  the  upper  story  of  the 
barn.  The  rest  of  the  fowls,  intended  for  the  market 
or  winter's  use,  had  been  slauglitered  early  in  au« 
tumn,  at  the  settiiig  in  of  the  frost,  and  were  hung 
up  in  the  feathers  in  the  garret.  Thence  they  were 
taken  as  ^wanted.  Towards  March  they  become  un- 
savory, but  in  no  way  tainted. »  We  became  acquain- 
ted with  this  kind  of  economy,  but  upon  a  much  lar- 
ger scale  afterwards,  when  in  a  state  of  afliction  and 
sorrow. 

The  roads  in  this  part  of  Canada  are  kept  in  ex- 
cellent order.  The  corvee  of  Eurofiean  France  is 
maintained  by  the  Qovernment  in  full  effect,  as  to  its 
principles,  but  far  less  rigid  in  its  practice.  The 
roads  in  low  grounds  were  ditched  on  the  sides  and 
curved  towards  the  oentre.   .  fivery  forty  or  fifty  yardt 


IM 


CAMPAIGN     k. 


*:  1 


l\ 


:\- 


on  each  side  of  the  road,  throughout  the  extent  of  it, 
young  pines  were  stuck  in  the  ground,  to  maris  the 
central  and  safest  passage.  It  is  a  law  that  the  land- 
holder, whenever  a  snow  falls,  either  by  day  or  night, 
when  it  ceases,  shall,-  with  his  horses  and  cariole,  re- 
trace the  road  formed  on  the  preceding  snow,  through- 
out the  extent  of  his  grounds.  This  is  a  laborious 
duty,  but  it  was  discernible  that  it  was  peformed  with 
punctuality,  if  not  with  pleasure.  In  December, 
January,  and  February,  when  the  snow  lays  from 
three  to  five  feet  de*^p  over  the  surface,  there  is  no 
travelling  in  this  country,  but  by  ways  thus  formed, 
or  upon  snow  shoes. 

On  the  1st  of  December,  General  Montgomery, 
who  was  anxiously  expected,  arrived.  Arnold's  corps 
was  paraded  in  front  of  the  chapel.  It  was  lowering 
and  cold,  but  the  appearance  of  the  General  here, 
gave  us  warmth  and  animation.  He  was  welMimb- 
ed,  tail,  and  handsome,  though  his  face  was  much 
pock-marked.  His  air  and  manner  designated  the 
real  soldier.  He  made  us  a  short,  but  energetic  and 
elegant  speech,  the  burthen  of  which  was,  an  ap- 
plause of  our  spirit  in  passing  I  he  wildernet>s ;  a  hope 
that  our  perseverance  in  the  same  spirit  would  con- 
tinue; and  a  promise  of  warm  clothing.  The  lat- 
ter was  a  most  comfortable  assurance.  A  few  huz- 
zas from  our  freezing  bodies  were  returned  to  this  ad- 
dress  of  the  gallant  hero.  Now  new  life  was  infu- 
sed into  the  whole  of  the  corps. 

The  next  day  (December  2,)  we  retraced  the  route 
from  Quebec.  A  snow  had  fallen  during  the  night, 
and  continued  falling.  To  march  on  this  snow  was 
a  most  fatiguing  business.  By  this  timewe  had  gen« 
erally  furnished  ourselves  with  seal-skin  moccasins, 
which  are  large,  and  according  to  the  usage  of  the 
coumryi  stufT^  with  kiy  or  leaves^  to  keep  tlM  foet 


ixtent  of  it, 

0  mark  the 
at  the  land- 
ly  or  night, 
cariole,  re- 
w,  ihroiigh- 
a  laborious 
brmed  with 

December, 

lays  from 

there  is  no 

hu8  formed, 

fontgomery, 
mold's  corps 
ras  lowering 
ieneral  here, 
18  welUlinib- 

was  much 
iignated  the 
lergetic  and 
Lvas,  an  ap- 
iet>s ;  a  hope 

would  con- 
r.  The  lat- 
A  few  huz- 
ed  to  this  ad- 
fe  was  infu- 

ced  the  route 
ig  the  night, 
lis  snow  was 
jwe  had  gen- 

1  moccasins, 
isage  of  the 
kfiq>tlM  feet 


[General  MoDtgomerjr  reviewing  and  addresBing  the  Troo|w.] 


lil 


I 


■ '  *  - 

dr 

, 

pot 
we 

wa 
tici 

■-.      -        . 

ext 
mi 

'                             ■                                     ,          .•' 

gar 
the 

■    '                '    - 

wa 

as 
ilu 


th( 


AGAINST  OIJEBEG. 


lOS 


dry  and  warm.  Every  step  taken  in  tlie  dry  snow, 
the  moccasin  having  no  raii^d  heel  to  support  the 
position  of  the  foot,  ii  slipped  back  and  produced  great 
weariness.  On  this  march  the  use  of  the  snow-shoe 
was  very  obvious,  but  we  were  destitute  of  that  ar- 
ticle. The  evening  brought  up  the  riflemen  at  aa 
extensive  house  in  the  parish  of  St.  Foix,  about  three 
miles  from  Quebec.  It  was  inhabited  by  tenants. 
We  took  possession  of  a  front  parlor  on  the  left,  Mor- 
gan  upon  the  tight,  Hendricks  a  back  apartment,  and 
the  soldiery  in  the  upper  parts  of  the  hou8e,and  some 
warm  outbuildings. 

The  next  day,  (December  3d,)  Morgan  not  find^ 
ing  himself  comfortable,  moved  a  short  space  near- 
er to  the  city.  Here,  in  low  and  pretty  country  hou- 
ses, he  and  his  men  were  neatly  accommodated.  It 
seemed  to  rne  that  the  Canadians  in  the  viciniage  o£ 
Quebec  lived  quite  as  comfortably  as  the  genetr- 
aliiy  of  the  Pennsylvani&ns  did  at  that  time  in  the 
county  of  Lancaster.  It  may  readily  occur  to  yoa 
that  some  restriction  ought  to  cramp  this  latitude  of 
expression  :  take  it,  however,  as  a  description  of  our 
sensations,  entertained  in  our  minds  by  the.  conve- 
niences we  now  enjoyed,  in  opposition  to  our  laiepK- 
vations  We  had  just  arrived  from  a  dreary  and  in- 
hospitable wild,  Jiaif-starved  and  thinly  clothed,  in  a 
land  of  plenty,  where  we  had  full  rations  and  warm 
quarters ;  consequently  our  present  feelings,  contrast- 
ed with  former  sufferings,  might  have  appreciated  in 
too  high  a  degree  the  happiness  of  the  Canadian.-^ 
What  is  now  said,  ought  not,  to  be  taken  in  anywise 
as  an  allusion  to  the  political  rights,  but  be  confined 
solely  to  the  apparent  prosperity  and  economy  of  fam- 
ilies. .. 

December  12ih.    We  remained  about  tien  days  at 
these  quartern.    The  tours  of  duty,^  to  Arnold's  par- 


'«s  I 


^M^,^ 


Mf 


Campaign 


ty,  were  peculiarly  severe.  The  officers  and  mcii 
ttill  wore  noihiiig  else  than  the  remains  of  the  sum- 
mer clothing,  which,  being  on  their  backs,  had  esca- 
ped destruction  in  the  disasters  of  the  wilderness. 
The  snow  lay  tiiree  feet  det  p  over  the  face  of  the 
whole  country,  and  there  was  an  addition  to  it  al- 
most  daily.  Many  impediments  occurred  to  delay 
the  transportation  of  the  clothing  which  Gen.  Mont- 
goniery  had  procured  for  us  at  Montreal.  Our  mis- 
erable state,  contrary  to  our  principles,  excited  an  il- 
licit desire  to  be  apparelled  more  comfortably.  This 
desire  would  probs^bly  have  lain  dormant,  but  for  a 
scoundrel  Canadian,  who  in  all  likelihood  was  an  en- 
emy of  Lieutenant  Governor  Croniie.  One  morn- 
ing, having  returned  from  a  cold  night's  duly  near 
palace  gate,  the  fellow  addressed  Sinipson,  who  was 
the  only  4>fficer  in  quarters,  and  conm  tunica  ted  the 
information,  ^*  That  about  two  miles  up  the  St.  Law- 
rence, lay  a  country  seat  of  Governor  Cromie,  stock- 
ed with  many  things  we  wanted,  and  he  would  be 
our  guide."  Carioles  were  inunediately  procured. 
The  house,  a  neat  box,  was  romantic.  Uy  situated  on  • 
the  steep  bank  of  the  river,  not  very  distant  from  a 
chapel.  Though  in  the  midst  of  winter,  the  spot 
displayed  the  elegant  taste  and  abundant  wealth  of 
the  owner.  It  must  be  a  most  delightful  summer 
residence,  in  the  months  of  July  and  August,  when 
the  heat  of  this  northern  climate  seems  greater  to 
sensation  than  that  of  our  country  in  the  same  sea- 
son. The  house  was  closed ;  knocking,  the  hall 
door  was  opened  to  us  by  an  Irishwoman,  who,  of 
the  fair  sex,  was  the  largest  and  most  brawny  that 
ever  came  under  my  notice.  She  was  the  steward- 
ess of  the  house.  Our  questions  were  answered  with 
an  apparent  affability  and  frankness.  She  introdu- 
ced 111  into  the  kitchen,  a  large  apartment,  weU-fiU- 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


107 


and  men 
f  ihe  8um- 
,  had  esca- 
wildeiness. 
ace  of  ihe 
ion  to  ii  al- 
d  to  delay 
Sen.  Mont- 
Our  mis- 
iciied  an  il- 
bly.    This 
but  for  a 
waa  an  en- 
3ne  morn- 
duty  near 
I,  who  was 
iiicated  the 
he  St.  Law- 
Imie,  siock- 
B  would  be 
procured, 
situated  on ' 
ant  from  a 
ir,  the  spot 
wealth  of 
j1  summer 
UBt,  when 
greater  to 
same  sea- 
;,  the  hall 
I,  who,  of 
awny  that 
le  steward- 
wered  with 
le  introdu- 
t,  weU-fiU« 


ed  with  those  articles  which  goo^  livers  think  neces- 
sary to  the  happy  enjoyment  of  life.  Here  we  ob- 
served five  or  six  Canadian  servants  huddled  into  a 
corner  of  the  )citchen,  trembling  with  feat.  Our  pry- 
ing eyes  soon  discovered  a  trap-door  leading  into  the 
cellar.  Tn  the  country  houses  of  Canada,  because  of 
the  frigidity  of  the  climate,  the  cellara  are  usually 
under  a  warm  room,  and  are  principally  intended  for 
the  preservation  of  vegetables.  The  cavity  in  this 
instance  abounded  with  a  great  variety  of  eatables, 
of  which  we  were  not  in  the  immediate  want.  The 
men  entered  it — ;firkin  after  firkin  of  butter,  lard,  tal- 
low, beef,  pork,  fresh  and  salt — all  became  a  prey. 
While  the  men  were  rummaging  below,  the  Lieuten- 
ant descended  to  cause  more  despatch.  My  duty 
was  to  remain  at  the  end  of  tfie  trap-door,  with  my 
back  to  the  wall,  and  rifle  cocked  as  a  sentry,  keep- 
ing a  strict  eye  on  the  servants.  My  good  Irishwo- 
man frequently  beckoned  to  me  to  descend  :  her  drift 
was  to  catch  us  all  in  the  trap.  Luckily  she  was 
comprehended.  The  cellar  and  kitclien  being  thor- 
oughly rifled,  and  the  spoil  borne  to  the  sleighs,  the 
party  dispersed  into  the  other  apartments.  Here  was 
elegance.  The  walls  and  partitions  weie  beautiful- 
ly papered,  and  decorated  with  large  engravings, 
maps,  d&c.  &c.  of  the  most  celebrated  artists.  A  no- 
ble view  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  upon  a  large 
scale,  taken  from  the  neighborhood  of  .Cooper's  ferry, 
drew  my  attention,  and  raised  some  compunctive  i- 
deas;  but  war  and  the  sciences  always  stand  at 
arras  length  in  the  contests  of  mankind.  The  lat- 
ter must  succumb  in  the  tumult.  Our  attention  was 
much  more  attracted  by  thecostly  feather  beds,  coun- 
terpanes, and  chaniting  rose- blankets,  which  the 
house  aflbrded.  Of  these  there  was  good  store,  and 
we  lAfi  not  a  joi  bebiiid  w*    The  owka  and  crevi» 


loe 


Campaign 


ces  in  the  carioles  were  filled  with  smaller  articles ; 
several  dozen  of  admirably  finished  case>knives  and 
Ibrks — even  a  sett  of  desert  knives  obtained  (he  no- 
tice of  our  cupidity.  Articles  of  lesser  moment,  not 
a  thousandth  part  as  useful,  did  not  escape  the  all- 
grasping  hands  of  the  soldiery.  In  a  back  apart- 
ment there  stood  a  mahogany  couch  or  settee,  in  a 
highly  finished  style,  l^he  woodwork  of  the  couch 
was  raised  on  all  sides  by  cushioning,  and  lastly, 
covered  by  a  richly  figured  silk.  This,  to  us,  was 
lumber,  besides  our  carioles  were  full.  However,  we 
grabbed  the  matrass  and  pallets,  all  equally  elegant 
as  the  couch.  Having,  as  we  thought,  divested  his 
Excellency  of  all  the  articles  of  prime  necessity,  we 
departed,  ostensibly  and  even  audibly  accompanied 
by  the  pious  blessings  of  the  stewardess  for  our  mod- 
eration. No  doubt  she  had  her  mental  renervaiions  ; 
on  such  business  as  this,  we  regarded  neither.  Near 
the  chapel,  we  met  a  party  of  Morgan's  men  coming 
to  do  that  which  we  had  already  done.  The  ofiicer 
seemed  chagrined  when  he  saw  the  extent  of  our 
plunder.  He  went  on,  and  finally  ransacked  the 
nouse,  and  yet  a  little  more,  the  stables.  The  joy  of 
our  men,  among  whom  the  plunder  was  distributed 
in  nearly  equal  portions,  was  extravagant.    Now  an 

X ration  of  the  human  mind,  which  often  takes 
se  in  society,  and  is  every  day  discernible  by  per- 
sons of  observation,  became  clearly  obvious.  '^  Let  a 
man  once  witii  impunity  desert  the  strict  rule  of  right, 
all  subsequent  aggression  is  no(,  only  increased  in  a- 
trocity,  but  is  done  without  qualm  of  conscience.'' 
Though  our  company  was  composed  principally  of 
freeholders,  or  the  sons  of  such,  bred  at  home  under 
the  strictures  of  religion  and  morality,  yet  when  the 
reins  of  decorum  were  loosed,  and  the  honorable  feel<- 
ing  wenkeoad*  itt  became  impoieible  to  aduiioister  re- 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


109 


r  articles; 
nives  and 
td  ihe  no- 
ment,  not 
le  the  alU 
ick  apart- 
iitee,  in  a 
the  couch 
md  lasily, 
Lo  us,  was 
awever,  we 
lly  elegant 
ivested  his 
ccBsity,  we 
icompanied 
K  our  mod- 
servations ; 
iher.    Near 
ten  conning 
The  officer 
ent  of  our 
sacked  (he 
The  joy  of 
distributed 
Now  an 
[)ften  takes 
l)Ie  by  per- 
i^Leta 
ale  of  right, 
eased  in  a- 
onscience." 
ncipally  of 
lome  under 
t  when  the 
lorable  feeU 
iiiiiii8t«r  ra- 


sttaint.  The  person  of  a  tory,  or  his  property,  be- 
came fair  game,  and  this  at  the  denunciation  of  some 
base  domestic  villain. 

On  the  morning  following,  (Dec.  13th,)  the  same 
audacious  scoundrel  again  returned.  By  leading  to 
the  first  affair,  and  his  intercourse  with  the  privates, 
he  had  so  wormed  himself  into  their  good  graces,  that 
nothing  would  do  but  a  system  of  marauding  upon 
our  supposed  enemies,  the  tories.  In  this  new  expe- 
dition, which  was  further  than  the  former,  the  offi- 
cers thought  it  prudent  to  accompany  the  men,  in 
truth  to  keep  order  and  repress  their  ardency.  We 
arrived  at  a  farm  said  to  belong  to  Governor  Cromie 
or  some  other  inhabitant  of  Quebec.  The  farm- 
house, though  low,  being  but  one  story,  was  capa- 
cious, and  tolerably  neat.  The  barn  built  of  logs, 
with  a  threshing-floor  in  the  centre,  was  from  seven- 
ty to  eighty  feet  in  length.  The  tenant,  his  wife, 
and  children,  shuddered  upon  our  approach.  Assu- 
rances that  they  should  be  unharmed,  relieved  their 
fears.  The  tenant  pointed  out  to  us  the  horned-cat- 
tle, pigs,  and  poultry  of  his  landlord.  These  we  shot 
down  without  mercy,  or  drove  before  us  to  our  quar- 
ters. Thus  we  obtained  a  tolerable  load  for  our  car- 
avan, which  consisted  of  five  or  six  carioles. 

With  this  disreputable  exploit,  marauding  ceased. 
A  returning  sense  of  decency  and  order,  emanating 
from  ourselves,  produced  a  species  of  contrition.  It 
is  a  solemn  truth,  that  we  plundered  none  but  those 
who  were  notoriously  tories,  and  then  within  the  walls 
of  Quebec.  The  clergy,  the  nobles,  and  the  peas- 
antry, were  respected  and  protected,  especially  the 
latter,  with  whom,  to  use  a  trite  expression,  we  frat- 
ernized. The  minuteness  of  this  description  of  oc- 
currences of  a  trivial,  yet  disgraceful  nature,  is  made 
the  more  strongly  to  impress  your  minds  with  the 

10 


'1 


no 


CAMPAIGN 


horrors  attendant  on  civil  wars.  This  species  of  war, 
more  than  any  other,  not  only  affects  the  great  and 
the  wealthy,  but  it  intrudes  itself  into,  and  devastates 
tlie  cottage.  This  the  American  people  know,  fioiii 
the  many  melancholy  scenes  that  succeeded  the  pe- 
riod spoken  of. 

Gracious  and  Almighty  God !  the  shield  and  pro- 
tector of  the  good,  as  well  as  thou  art  the  scourge  of 
the  base  and  wicked  nation,  avert  from  my  country 
this,  the  most  terrible  of  thy  modes  of  temporal  ven- 
geance. 

December  I5th.— In  a  short  time  the  rifle  compa* 
nies  moved  and  occupied  good  quarters  on  the  low 
grounds,  near  St.  Charles'  river,  and  about  two  miles 
from  Quebec.  Our  clothing  was  still  of  the  flimsy 
kind  before  noted,  but  our  hearts  were  light,  even  to 
merriment.  Individually,  from  our  own  funds,  we 
supplied  ourselves  with  arm-gloves,  and  renewed  our 
moccasins.  This  was  about  the  middle  of  Decem- 
ber. During  all  this  time  our  daily  duty  was  labori- 
ous in  various  ways,  and  every  other  night  we  moun- 
ted guard  at  St.  Roque.  A  guard-house,  ere  this, 
had  been  established  at  this  place,  in  a  very  large 
Btone  house,  which,  though  strong,  (being  exposed  to 
the  enemy's  fire,)  was  soon  battered  about  our  ears ; 
the  distance  scarcely  more  than  three  hundred  yards. 
That  position  was  changed  for  one  more  secure.  A 
house  that  had  been  a  tavern  was  adopted  in  its  stead. 
This  house  was  peculiarly  situated.  It  was  compar- 
atively small  with  the  former  in  its  dimensions,  but 
the  walls  were  strong,  and  the  ceilings  bomb-proof. 
It  stood  under  the  hill,  so  as  to  be  out  of  the  range 
of  the  shot  from  the  ramparts  contiguous  to  Palace- 
gate,  which  were  elevated  far  above  us.  Simpson 
would  say,  ''Jack,  let  us  have  a  shot  at  those  fel- 
lows."   Even  at  noonday  we  would  creep  along  close 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


Ill 


!Sof  war, 
real  and 
evastates 
ow,  from 
d  the  pe- 

and  pro- 
;courge  of 
y  country 
poral  ven- 

le  compa- 
1  the  low 
two  miles 
the  flimsy 
It,  even  to 
funds,  we 
jnewed  our 
of  Deceni- 
svas  labor i- 
Lwenioun- 
ere  this, 
very  large 
exposed  to 
t  our  ears ; 
dred  yards, 
secure.     A 
in  its  stead, 
as  compar- 
nsions,  but 
(omb-proof. 
the  range 
to  Palace- 
Simpson 
,t  those  fel- 
along  close 


to  the  houses  which  ranged  under  the  hill,  but  close 
in  with  it,  till  we  came  within  forty  yards  of  Palace 
gate.  Here  was  a  smith's  shop,  formed  of  logs, 
through  the  crevices  of  which  we  would  fire,  at  an 
angle  of  70,  at  the  sentries  above  us.  Many  of  them 
were  killed,  and  it  was  said,  several  officers.  This 
was  dishonorable  war,  though  authorized  by  the  prac- 
tices of  those  times.  The  distance  from  this  guard- 
house to  Palace-gate,  may  be  three  hundred  and  fif- 
ty yards.  The  hill,  at  the  back  of  the  house,  seem- 
ed to  make  an  angle  of  60  or  70  degrees.  This  ac- 
clivity continued  from  the  walls  of  the  city,  and  a- 
round  it  by  the  lower  town,  (where  it  is  greatest,)  for 
many  miles  up  the  St.  Lawrence  and  St.  Charles, 
and  forms  the  basis  of  Abraham's  Plains.  It  was 
about  that  time  the  York  artillerists,  under  Captain 
Lamb,  had  constructed  a  battery  on  the  Plains,  at 
the  distance  of  600  or  700  hundred  yards  from  the 
fortress.  The  earth  was  too  difficult  for  the  intrench- 
ing tools  to  pierce ;  the  only  method  left  waste  raise 
a  battery  composed  of  ice  and  snow.  The  snow  was 
made  into  ice  by  the  addition  of  water.  The  work 
was  done  in  the  night  time.  Five  or  six  9  pounders 
and  a  howitzer  were  placed  in  it.  It  was  scarcely 
completed,  and  our  guns  had  opened  on  the  city,  be- 
fore it  was  pierced  through  and  through  by  the  weigh- 
tier metal  of  the  enemy.  Several  lives  were  lost  on 
the  first  and  second  day.  Yet  the  experiment  was 
persisted  in,  till  a  single  ball,  piercing  the  battery,  kill- 
ed and  wounded  three  persons.  In  the  quarters  last 
mentioned,  we  enjoyed  some  pleasant  days.  The 
winter  in  Canada,  as  with  us,  is  the  season  of  good 
humor  and  joy. 

December  18ih,  19lh.  Upon  a  secession  from  the 
out-post,  or  other  military  employments,  we  were  a- 
l^reeably  received  in  the  farm  bouses  around.    Our 


112 


CAMPAIGN 


> 


!  I 


engagements  near  Palace  gate  still  continued  to  be 
of  the  arduous  kind  :  our  numbers  being  few,  every 
second  watch  was  performed  by  the  same  persons 
who  had  made  the  guard  the  last  but  one.  Between 
the  guard  house  and  the  extreme  end  of  the  suburbs 
of  St.  Roque,  which  may  be  half  a  mile  from  the 
ramparts,  there  was  a  rising  ground  in  the  main 
street,  fairly  in  view  of  the  enemy,  and  whilst  we 
relieved  in  daylight,  was  raked,  even  by  grape  shot. 
Some  good  men  were  lost  here.  This  circumstance 
changed  the  time  of  relief  to  nine  o'clock  in  the  eve- 
ning. The  riflemen  were  principally  employed  as 
guards  at  this  dangerous  station.  It  is  but  Mr  and 
honest  to  relate  to  you  an  anecdote  concerning  my- 
self, which  will  convey  to  your  minds  some  notion  of 
that  affection  of  the  head  or  heart  which  the  milita- 
ry call  a  panic-terror.  Being  one  of  the  guard  and 
having  been  relieved  as  a  sentry  about  twelve  or  one 
o'clock  at  night,  upon  returning  to  the  guard  house 
in  a  dozing  state,  I  cast  myself  on  a  bench  next  the 
back  wall.  Young,  my  sleeps  were  deep  and  heavy ; 
my  youth  obtained  this  grace  from  Simpson,  the  of- 
ficer who  commanded.  About  three  o'clock  I  was 
roused  by  a  horrible  noise.  The  enemy,  in  casting 
their  shells,  usually  began  in  the  evening,  and  threw 
but  a  few  ;  towards  morning  they  became  more  alert. 
Our  station  being  out  of  siglit,  it  was  so  managed  as 
to  throw  the  shells  on  the  side<of  the  hill,  directly 
back  of  us,  so  as  they  would  trundle  down  against 
the  wall  of  the  guard  houde.  This  had  frequently 
occurred  before,  but  was  not  minded.  A  thirteen- 
inch  shell,  thus  thrown,  came  immediately  opposite 
the  place  where  my  head  lay  ;  to  be  sure,  the  three 
fool  wall  was  between  us.  The  bursting  report  was 
tremendous,  but  it  was  heard  in  a  profound  sleep. 
Starting  instantly,  though  unconscious  of  the  cause, 


V 


ed  tobe 
V,  every 
persons 
Between 
suburbs 
rom  the 
he  main 
hWsi  we 
ape  shot, 
imstance 
I  the  eve- 
)loyed  as 
feir  and 
ling  my- 
notion  of 
he  milita- 
uard  and 
jlve  or  one 
ard  house 
1  next  the 
id  heavy ; 
n,  the  of- 
ck  I  w^as 
in  casting 
aind  threw 
nore  alert, 
sinaged  as 
directly 
against 
frequently 
thirteen- 
y  opposite 
the  three 
report  was 
und  sleep, 
the  cause. 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


lis 


and  running  probably  fifty  yards,  through  untrod 
enow,  three  feet  deep,  to  a  coal  house,  a  place  quite 
unknown  to  me  before,  it  was  ten  or  fifteen  minutes 
before  the  extreme  cold  restored  that  kind  of  sensi- 
bility which  enabled  me  to-know  my  real  situation. 
Knowing  nothing  of  the  cause,  the  probable  effect, 
nor  any  of  the  consequences  which  might  follow 
from  this  involuntary  exertion,  it  seemed  to  me  to  be 
a  species  of  the  panic  which  has  been  known  to  af- 
fect whole  armies.  The  circumstance  here  related, 
caused  a  laugh  against  me  ;  but  it  was  soon  discov- 
ered that  those  of  the  soldiery,  though  wide  awake, 
were  as  much  panic-stricken  as  myself.  The  laugh 
rebounded  upon  them.  During  this  period  we  had 
many  bitter  nights.  To  give  you  some  idea  of  a 
Canada  winter,,  allow  me  to  relate  an  occurrence 
which  is  literally  genuine. 

December  24Lh.  One  night,  at  the  time  of  re- 
lief, a  confidential  person  came  from  Colonel  Arnold, 
accompanied  by  an  Irish  gentleman  named  Craig, 
directing  the  relieved  guard  to  escort  him  to  his  own 
house,  which  stood  between  twenty  and  thirty  paces 
from  Palace  gate.  Craig  was  a  merchant  of  consid- 
erable wealth,  and  what  was  more,  an  excellent 
whig.  Fie  was  expelled  from  his  habitation  because 
of  his  whigism,  and  took  refuge  in  Arnold's  quarters. 
Montgomery  by  this  time  had  furnished  us  with  per- 
sonal clothing  suitable  to  the  climate,  but  there  were 
a  thousand  other  things  wanting  for  comfortable  ac- 
commodation. Many  of  these  Mr.  Craig  possessed, 
and  which  Arnold's  luxurious  cupidity  desired. — 
Craig's  house  was  an  extensive  building,  three  sto- 
ries high,  with  back  buildings  of  an  equal  height, 
running  far  in  the  rear  along  the  foot  of  the  hill. 
This  last  building  consisted  of  stores,  which,  as  well 
as  the  house,  was  of  brick  work.    We  came  to  the 

10* 


M4* 


CAMPAIGN 


back  part  of  the  house  silently,  and  with  the  utmost 
caution.  Mr.  Craig,  by  a  sHght  knock,  brought  a  trus- 
ty old  negro  to  the  door,  who  was  the  sole  guardian 
of  the  house.  The  objects  of  Mr.  Craig  were  frying 
pans,  skillets,  and  a  great  variety  of  other  articles  of 
ironmongery,  together  with  cloths,  flannels,  linens, 
&c.  «fcc.  The  party  with  Craig  entered  the  house. 
As  a  person  in  whom  it  pleased  the  officers  to  place 
confidence,  it  became  my  business  to  watch  the  Pal- 
ace gate.  There  was  a  clear  moonlight,  but  it  was 
exceedingly  bleak.  My  place  of  observation  was  un- 
der a  brick  arch,  over  which  were  stores  of  Mr.  Craig, 
perhaps  less  than  eighty  feet  from  Palace  gate.  My 
gloves  being  good  and  well  lined  with  fur,  and  my 
moccasins  of  the  best  kind,  well  stuffed,  unseen  I 
conlinually  paced  the  width  of  the  arch;  my  com- 
panions seemed  to  employ  too  much  time.  Some 
Frenchmen,  of  Colonel  liivingston's  regiment,  with- 
out our  knowledge,  had  been  below  Palace  gate,  ma- 
rauding. Repassing  the  house  we  were  at,  like  so 
many  emissaries  from  the  pit,  they  set  up  a  yelling 
and  horrid  din,  which  not  only  scared  our  party,  but 
alarmed  the  garrison  itself.  My  companions  in  the 
house,  (apprehensive  of  a  sally  from  Palace  gate,)  fled, 
carrying  all  they  could.  Though  I  heard  the  noise, 
the  flight  of  my  friends  was  unseen,  as  they  emerg- 
ed from  the  cellars.  The  noise  and  bustle  created 
by  the  Canadians,  attracted  the  attention  of  the  ene- 
my. Large  and  small  shells  were  thrown  in  every 
direction  wherever  a  noise  was  heard  in  St.  Roque. 
Having  on  a  fine  white  blanket  coat,  and  turning 
my  cap,  or  «  bonnet  rogue"  inside  out,  the  inside  be- 
ing while,  made  me,  as  it  were,  invisible  in  the  snow. 
Under  the  arch  the  conversation  of  the  sentries,  as.it 
were,  almost  over  my  head,  was  very  distinguishable. 
In  this  cold  region  many  reasons  operate  to  induce 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


115 


i  utmost 
it  a  trus- 
;uarc1ian 
e  frying 
rticles  of 
,  linens, 
e  house, 
to  place 
the  Pal- 
It  it  was 
I  was  un- 
[r.  Craig, 
ate.    My 
and  my 
mseen  I 
i\y  com- 
I.     Some 
iut,  with- 
5a  te,  ma- 

hke  so 

yelling 
tarty,  but 
IS  in  the 
ate,)  fled, 
he  noise, 
y  emerg- 
e  created 

the  ene- 

in  every 

t.  Roque. 

turning 
inside  be- 
the  snow, 
lies,  as  it 
uishable. 
to  induce 


the  placing  two  sentries  at  the  same  post — they  enli- 
ven each  other  by  conversing,  and  it  prevents  the  fa- 
tal effects  which  follow  from  standing  still  in  one  po- 
sition. Fifteen  minutes,  at  this  time,  was  the  term 
of  the  sentries'  standing.  The  time  of  my  standing 
under  the  arch  seemed  to  be  several  hours ;  yet  hon- 
or and  duty  required  perseverence.  At  length,  being 
wearied  out — going  to  the  back  door  of  the  house  and 
knocking — no 'whisper  could  be  heard  within  :  the 
old  negro  was  soundly  asleep  in  his  bomb-proof  shell. 
At  this  moment  those  Canadians  ran  past  the  gate- 
way again,  with  their  usual  noisy  jabber ;  to  me,  in 
my  deserted  state,  it  seemed  a  sally  of  the  enemy. 
There  was  no  outlet  hut  by  the  way  we  carne,  which 
seemed  hazardous.  Runrting,  gun  in  hand,  into  a 
large  enclosure,  which  was  a  garden  of  Mr.  Craig, 
here  was  a  new  dilemma.  There  was  no  escape  but 
by  returning  to  the  house  or  climbing  a  palisade  20 
feet  high.  The  latter  was  preferred  ;  but  my  rifle 
was  left  within  the  enclosure,  as  no  means  could  be 
fallen  upon  to  get  it  oveir  the  stockade.  The  guard 
house  was  soon  reached.  One  of  tiie  sergeants  kind- 
ly returned  with  me  to  assist  in  bringing  over  my 
gun.  It  was  grasped  with  ecstacy  :  alas !  the  deter- 
mination never  to  part  with  it  again,  but  with  life, 
was  futile.  While  in  the  enclosure,  going  from  and 
returning  to  it,  we  were  assailed  with  grape  shot  and 
shells,  not  by  any  means  aimed  at  us»(for  the  enemy 
knew  not  that  we  were  there,)  but  was  intended  to 
disperse  those  vociferous  and  vile  Canadians,  and  it 
had  the  effect.  They  were  as  cowardly  as  noisy. 
The  cohorn  shells  were  handsomely  managed.  They 
usually  burst  at  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  from  the  earth, 
so  as  to  scatter  their  destructive  eflTects  more  .widely. 
Again  coming  to  the  guard  house,  my  immediate 
friends  all  gone,  I  ran  thence  to  our  quarters,  (about 


m 


CAMPAIGN 


two  miles,)  wilh  great  speed.  This  was  about  three 
o'clock  in  the  morning.  Coming  to  quarters,  my  feet 
and  hands  'were  numbed,  without  ever  having,  du- 
ring those  many  dreary  hours,  been  sensible  of  the 
cold.  It  was  soon  discovered  that  they  vyere  frozen. 
Pulling  off  my  leggins,  <fcc.  and  immerging  my  feet 
and  legs  knee  deep  in  the  snow  at  the  door,  rubbing 
with  my  hands  a  few  minutes,  soon  caused  a  re-cir- 
culation of  the  blood  ;  the  hands  were  restored  by  the 
act.  For  fifteen,  and  even  twenty  years  afterwards, 
the  intolerable  effects  of  that  night's  frost  were  most 
sensibly  felt.  The  soles  of  my  feet,  particularly  the 
prominences,  were  severely  frost-bitten  and  nmch  in- 
flamed :  so  it  was  as  to  my  hands.  But  it  was  very 
remarkable  that  these  subsequent  annual  painings, 
uniformly  attacked  me  in  the  same  month  of  the 
year  in  which  the  cause  occurred. 

On  the  night  of  the  20th  or  21st  of  December,  a 
snow  storm,  driving  fiercely  from  the  north-east,  in- 
duced the  noble  Montgomery  to  order  an  attack  on 
the  fortress.  Our  force  altogether,  did  not  aaiountto 
more  than  1100  men,  and  many  of  these,  by  contri- 
vances of  their  own,  were  in  the  hospital,  which,  by 
this  time,  was  transferred  to  the  nunnery.  The  storm 
abated — the  moon  shone,  and.  we  retired,  truly  un- 
willing, to  repose.  We  had  caught  our  commander's 
spirit.  He  was  anxious,  after  the  capture  of  Gham- 
blee,  St.  Johns,  and  Montreal,  to  add  duebec,  as  a 
crowning  trophy  to  the  laurels  already  won.  Cap- 
tain Smith,  the  head  of  our  mess,  as  Captain,  had 
been  invited  to  General  Montgomery's  council  of  of- 
ficers ;  none  under  that  grade  having  been  called. 
Like  most  uninstructed  men,  he  was  talkative,  and 
what  is  much  worse  in  military  affairs,  very  commu- 
nicative. I  believe  blushing  followed  the  intelligence 
he  gave  me :  the  idea  of  impropriety  of  conduct  in 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


117 


)ut  three 
,  my  feet 
ing,  du- 
e  of  the 
B  frozen, 
my  feet 
rubbing 
a  re-cir- 
3(1  by  the 
erwards, 
ere  most 
larly  the 
nuch  in- 
yas  very 
gainings, 
h  of  the 

jmber,  a 
■east,  in- 
ttack  on 
(noil  nt  to 
y  contri- 
hich,  by 
he  storm 
ruly  un- 
Tiander's 
f  Cham- 
ec,  as  a 
1.  Cap- 
ain,  had 
cil  of  of- 
n  called, 
ive,  and 
commu- 
elligence 
iduct  in 


him,  deeply  impressed  my  mind.  The  whole  plan 
of  the  attack  on  the  two  following  days  was  known 
to  the  meanest  man  in  the  army.  How  it  was  dis- 
closed, is  uncertain,  unless  by  the  fatuity  of  tha> cap- 
tains. One  Singleton,  a  sergeant  in  the  troops  that 
accompanied  Montgomery,  deserted  from  the  guard 
at  the  suburbs  of  St.  John,  and  disclosed  to  our  foes 
the  purport  of  our  schemes ;  his  desertion  caused 
much  anxiety.  The  General  prudently  gave  out 
that  it  was  by  command,  he  would  return  soon  with 
intelligence.  This  was  believed  generally.  The 
latter  information  came  to  my  knowledge  some  time 
afterwards,  when  a  prisoner.  The  relation  of  Smith 
to  me  is  perfect  on  my  memory.  Youths  seldom  for- 
get their  juvenile  impressions.  It  was  this :  ^'  That 
we,  of  Arnold's  corj^,  accompanied  by  Capt.  Lang's 
York  Artillerists,  should  assail  the  lower  town,  on 
the  side  of  St.  Roque :  General  Montgomery  was  to 
attack  the  lower  town  by  the  way  of  Cape  Diamond, 
which  is  on  the  margin  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  A 
false  attack  was  to  be  made  easterly  of  St.  John's 
gate.  When  Montgomery  and  Arnold  conjoined  in 
the  lower  town,  then  the  priests,  the  wonoen,  and  the 
children,  were  to  be  gathered  and  intermingled  with 
the  troops,  and  an  assault  be  made  on  the  upper 
town."  Visionary  as  this  mode  of  attack  was,  from 
what  ensued,  it  is  sincerely  my  belief  that  Smith  was 
correct  in  his  information,  as  to  the  plan  suggested 
by  the  General.  In  ttiose  turbulent  times,  men  of 
gallantry,  such  as  Montgomery,  were  imperiously  ne- 
cessiated,  to  keep  up  their  own  fame  and  the  spirits 
of  the  people,  to  propose  and  to  hazard  measures,  e- 
ven  to  the  confines  of  imprudence.  There  was  an- 
other circumstance  which  induced  our  brave  and 
worthy  General  to  adopt  active  and  dangerous  means 
of  conquest.    Many  of  the  New-England  troops  had 


;.  |fl 


'f  l| 


118 


CAMPAIGN 


f 


been  engaged  on  very  short  enlistments,  some  of 
which  were  to  expire  on  the  first  of  January,  1776. 
The  patriotism  of  the  summer  of  seventy-five,  aeeui- 
ed  almost  extinguished  in  the  winter  of  seventy-six. 
The  patriotic  officers  made  every  exertion  to  induce 
enlistirients,  but  to  no  purpose.  We,  of  the  "  rifle 
corps,"  readily  assented  to  remain  with  the  General, 
though  he  should  be  deserted  by  the  eastern  men ;  yet 
this  example  had  no  manner  of  influence  on  the 
generality.  The  majority  were  either  farmers  or  sail- 
ors, and  some  had  wives  and  children  at  home. — 
These,  and  other  reasons,  perhaps  the  austerity  of 
the  winter,  and  the  harshness  of  the  service,  caused 
an  obstinacy  of  mind  which  would  not  submit  to  pa- 
triotic representation.  Besides,  the  small  pox,  intro- 
duced into  our  cantonments  by  the  indecorous,  yet 
fascinating  arts  of  the  enemy,  had  already  begun  its 
ravages.  This  temper  of  the  men  wad  well  known 
to  the  General.  Great  numbers  of  the  soldiets  in- 
oculated themselves  for  this  disease,  by  laceration  un- 
der the  finger  nails  by  means  of  pins  or  needles,  ei- 
ther to  obtain  an  avoidance  of  duty,  or  to  get  c^er 
that  horrible  disorder  in  an  easy  and  speedy  way. 

It  was  not  until  the  night  of  the  3 1st  of  Decem- 
ber, 1775,  that  such  kind  of  weather  ensued  as  was 
considered  favorable  for  the  assault.  The  forepart  of 
the  night  was  admirably  enlightened  by  a  luminous 
moon.  Many  of  us,  officers  as  well  as  privates,  had 
dispersed  in  various  directions  among  the  farm  and 
tippling  houses  of  the  vicinity.  We  well  knew  the 
signal  for  rallying.  This  was  no  other  than  a  snow 
storm.  About  12  o'clock  P.  M.  the  heavens  were  o- 
vercast.  We  repaired  to  quarters.  By  2  o'clock  we 
were  accoutred  and  began  our  march.  The  storm 
was  outrageous,  and  the  cold  wind  extremely  biting. 
In  this  northern  country  the  enow  is  blown  horizon^ 


,  some  of 
ly,   1776. 
[ive,  yeerii- 
!venty-six. 
to  induce 
the  "rifle 
B  General, 
I  men ;  yet 
:e  on   the 
lers  or  sail- 
t  home. — 
usterity  of 
ce,  caused 
bmit  to  pa- 
pox,  intro- 
;orous,  yet 
r  begun  its 
rell  known 
loldieis  in- 


ration  un- 

leedles.  ei- 

)  get  (wer 

Jy  way. 

of  Decem- 

led  as  was 

forepart  of 

I  luminous 

vates,  had 

farm  and 

knew  the 

an  a  snow 

ns  were  o- 

o'clock  we 

The  storm 

ely  biting. 

n  horizon- 


[Montgomery's  attack  on  Quebec] 


,^i 


XM- 


*    *■ 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


121 


tally  into  the  faces  of  travellers  on  most  occasions — 
this  was  our  case. 

January  1st. — When  we  came  to  Craig's  house, 
near  Palace  gate,  a  horrible  roar  of  cannon  took 
place,  and  a  ringing  of  all  the  bells  of  the  city,  which 
are  very  numerous,  and  of  all  sizes.  Arnold,  head- 
ing the  forlorn  hope,  advanced  perhaps  one  hundred 
yards  before  the  main  ~^body.  After  these  followed 
Lamb's  artillerists.  Morgan's  company  led  in  the 
secondary  part  of  the  column  of  infantry.  Smith's 
followed,  headed  by  Steele ;  the  captain,  from  partic- 
ular causesj  being  absent.  Hendricks'  company  suc- 
ceeded, and  the  eastern  men,  so  far  as  known  to  me, 
followed  in  due  ordeir.  The  snow  was  deeper  than 
in  the  fields,  because  of  the  nature  of  the  ground. 
The  path  mode  by  Arnold,  Lamb,  and  Morgan  was 
almost  imperceptible  because  of  the  falling  snow. 
Covering  wfi  locks  of  our  guns  with  the  lappets  of 
our  coats,  and  holding  down  our  heads^  (for  it  was 
impossible  to  bear  up  our  faces  against  the  imperious 
storm  of  wind  and  snow,]  we  ran  along  the  foot  of 
the  hill  in  single  file.  Along  the  first,  of  our  run  from 
Palace  gate,  hr  several  hundred  yards,  there  stood  a 
range  of  insulated  buildings,  which  seemed  to  be  store- 
houses—we passed  these  quickly  in  single  file,  pretty, 
wide  apart.  The  interstices  were  from  thirty  to  fifty 
yards.  In  these  intervsds  we  received  a  tremendous 
fire  of  musketry  from  th^  ramparts  aboVe  us.  Here 
we  lost  some  brave  men,  when  powerless  to  return 
the  salutes  we  received,  as  the  enemy  was  covered  by 
his  impregnable  defences.  They  were  even  sightless 
to  us — we  coal4  Me  nothing  but  the  blaze  from  the 
muzzles  of  their  muskets. 

A  number  of  vessels  of  various  sizes  lay  along 
the  beach,  moored  by  their  hawsers  or  cables  to  the 
houies.    Pacing  after  roy  leader.  Lieutenant  Steele, 

11 


'K^  'J 


•i 


122 


CAMPAIO!^ 


at  a  great  rate,  one  of  those  ropes  took  me  under  the 
chin  and  cast  me  headlong  down  a  declivity  of  at 
least  fifteen  feet.  The  place  appeared  to  be  either  a 
dry  dock  or  a  saw  pit.  My  descent  was  terrible  ; 
gun  and  all  was  involved  in  a  great  depth  of  snow. 
One  of  my  knees  received  a  most  violent  contusion. 
On  like  occasions  our  intimates  attepd  to  no  other 
than  their  own  concerns.  Mine  went  from  me,  re- 
regardless  of  my  fate.  Scrabbling  out  of  the  cavity 
without  assistance,  divesting  my  persoit  and  gun  of 
the  snow,  and  limping  into  the  line,  it  was  attempt- 
ed to  assume  a  station,  and  preserve  it.  These  were 
none  of  my  friends— they  knew  me  not.  We  had 
not  gone  twenty  yards^  in  my  hobblinggait,  before  I 
was  thrown  out  and  compelled  to  await  the  arrival 
of  a  chasm  in  the  line,  where  a  new  place  might  be 
obtained.  Men,  in  affairs  such  as  this,  seem  in  the 
main  to  lose  the  eompaseionate  feeling,  and  are  a- 
verse  to  being  dislodged  from  their  original  stations.  ■ 
We  proceeded  rapidly,  exposed  to  a  long  line  of  fire 
from  the  garrison,  for  now  we  were  unprotected  by 
any  buildings.  The  fire  had  slackened  in  a  small 
degree.  The  enemy  had  been  partly  called  off  to 
resist  the  General,  and  strengthen  the  party  opposed 
to  Arnold  in  our  front.  Now  we  saw  Colonel  Ar- 
nold returning,  wounded  in  the  leg,  and  supported 
by  two  gentlemen  ;  a  parson  Spring  was  one,  and  in 
my  belief,  a  Mr.  Ogdg^jjl^  the  other.  Arnold  called  to 
the  troops  in  &  cbeermg  voice  as  we  passed,  urging 
us  forward  ;  yet  it  was  observable  among  the  sol- 
diery, with  whom  it  was  my  misfortune  to  be  now 
placed,  that  the  CblonePs  retiring  damped  their  spir- 
its. A  cant  phrase,  *•  We, are  sold,"  was  repeatedly 
heard  in  many  parts  throughout  the  line.  Thus  pro- 
ceeding, enfiladed  by  an  animated  but  lessened  fire, 
we  came  to  the  first  barrier,  where  Arnold  had  been 


ii 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


123 


undertbe 
irity  of  at 
)e  either  a 
3  terrible; 
of  snow, 
contusion. 
>  no  other 
m  nie,  re- 
the  cavity 
ind  gun  of 
is  attempt- 
rhew  were 
We  had 
ait,  before  I 
the  arrival 
;e  might  be 
seem  in  the 
and  are  a- 
lal  stations, 
line  of  fire 
rotected  by 
in  a  small 
illed  off  to 
rty  opposed 
Colonel  Ar- 
1  supported 
one,  and  in 
)ld  called  to 
sed,  urging 
)ng  the  sol- 
to  be  now 
d  their  spir- 
repeatedly 
Thus  pro- 
jsened  fire, 
Id  had  been 


wounded  in  the  onset.  This  contest  had  lasted  but 
a  few  rhinutes,  and  was  somewhat  severe ;  but  the 
energy  of  our  men  prevailed.  The  embrasures  were 
entered  when  the  enemy  were  discharging  their  guns. 
The  guard,  consisting  of  thirty  persons,  were  either 
taken,  or  fled,  leaving  th^ir  arms  behind  them.  At 
this  time  it  was  discovered  that  our  guns  were  use- 
less, because  of  the  dampness.  The  snow,  which 
lodged  in  our  fleecy  coats,  was  melted  by  the  warmth 
of  our  bodies.  Thence  came  that  disaster.  Many 
of  the  party,  knowing  the  circumstance,  threw  aside 
their  own,  and  seized  the  British  arms.  These  were 
not  only  elegant,  but  were  such  as  befitted  the  hand 
of  a  real  soldier.  It  was  said  that  10,000  stand  of 
such  arms  had  been  received  from  England  In  the 
previous  summer  for  arming  the  Canadian  militia. 
Those  people  were' loth  to  bear  them  in  opposition 
to  our  rights.  From  the  first  barrier  to  the  second, 
there  was  a  circular  course  along  the  sides  of  houses, 
and  partly  through  a  street,  probably  of  three  hun- 
dred yards,  or  more.  This  second  barrier  was  erect- 
ed across,  and  near  the  mouth  of  a  narrow  street,  ad- 
jacent to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  which  opened  into  a 
larger,  leading  soon  into  the  main  body  of  the  lower 
town.  Here  it  was  that  the  most  serious  contiention 
took  place ;  this  became  the  bone  of  strife.  The  ad- 
mirable Montgomery  by  this  time,  (though  it  was  un- 
known to  us,)  was  no  more;  yet  we  expected  mo- 
mentarily to  join  him.  The  firing  on  that  side  of 
the  fortress  ceased ;  his  division  fell  under  the  com- 
mand of  a  Colonel  Campbell,  of  the  New  York  line, 
a  nerveless  chief,  who  retreated  without  making  an 
effort,  in  pursuance  of  the  General's  original  plans. 
The  inevitable  conseciuence  was,  that  the  whole  of 
the  forces  on  that  siae  of  the  city,  and  those  who 
were  opposed  to  the  various  detachments  employed  to 


If 


I  { 


Pi 


'if  .' 


ail 

hi 


124 


CAMPAIGN 


mak«  the  false  attacks,  embodied  and  came  down  to 
oppose  our  division.  Here  was  sharp  shooting.  We 
were  on  the  disadvantageous  side  of  the  barrier  for 
such  a  purpose.  Confined  in  a  narrow  street,  hardly 
more  than  twenty  feet  wide,  and  on  the  lower  ground, 
scarcely  a  ball,  well  aimed  or  otherwise,  but  must 
take  effect  upon  us.  Morgan,  Hendricks,  Steele, 
Humphreys,  and  a  crowd  of  every  class  of  the  ar- 
my, had  gathered  into  the  narrow  pass,  attempting 
to  surmount  the  barrier,  which  was  about  twelve  or 
more  feet  high,  and  so  strongly  constructed  that  noth- 
ing but  artillery  could  effectuate  its  destruction. — 
There  was  a  construction  fifteen  or  twenty  yards 
within  the  1)arrier,  upon  a  rising  ground,  the  cannon 
of  which  much  overtopped  the  height  of  the  barri- 
er ;  hence  we  were  assailed  with  grape  shot  in  abun- 
dance. This  erection  was  called  the  j^latform.  A- 
gain,  within  the  barrier,  and  close  in  to  it,  were  two 
ranges  of  musketeers,  armed  with  musket  and  bay- 
onet)  ready  to  receive  those  who  might  venture  the 
dangerous  I^p.  Add  to  all  this  that  the  enemy  oc- 
cupied the  upper  chambers  of  the  houses  in  the  inte- 
rior of  the  barrier,  on  both  sides  of  the  street,  from 
the  windows  of  which  we  became  fair  marks.  The 
enemy,  having  the  advantage  of  the  ground  in  front, 
a  vast  superiority  of  numbers,  dry  and  better  arms, 
eave  them  an  irresistible  power  in  so  narrow  a  space. 
Humphreys,  upon  a  mound  which  was  speedily  e- 
rected,  attended  by  many  brave  men,  attempted  to 
scale  the  banier,  but  was  compelled  to  retreat  by  the 
formidable  phalanx  of  bayonets  within,  and  the 
weight  of  fire  from  the  platform  and  the  buildings. 
Morgan,  brave  to  temerity,  stormed  and  raged. — 
Hendricks,  Steele,  Nichols,  Humphreys,  equally  brave, 
were  sedate,  though  under  a  tremendous  fire.  The 
platform,  which  was  within  our  view,  was  evacuated 


us. 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


l» 


m 


down  to 
ing.   We 
arrier  for 
et,  hardly 
;r  ground, 
but  must 
[s,  Steele, 
of  the  ar- 
ittempting 
twelve  or 
that  noth- 
Lruction. — 
jnty  yards 
he  cannon 
the  barri- 
lOt  in  abun- 
tform.    A- 
,  were  two 
jtand  bay- 
venture  the 
enemy  oc- 
in  theinte- 
Btreet,  from 
arks.    The 
ind  in  front, 
better  arms, 
ow  a  space, 
speedily  e- 
ttempted  to 
treat  by  the 
n,   and  the 
e  buildings, 
id  raged.— 
ually  brave, 
-ifire.    The 
M  evacuated 


by  the  accuracy  of  our  fire,  and  few  persons  dared 
venture  there  again.  Now  it  wad  that  the  necessity 
of  the  occupancy  of  the  houses  on  our  ^ide  of  the 
barrier,  became  apparent.  Orders  were  given  by  Mor- 
gan to  that  effect — we  entered.  This  was  near  day- 
light. The  houses  were  a  shelter  from  which  we 
could  fire  with  much  accuracy.  Yet  even  here  some 
valuable  lives  were  lost.  Hendricks,  when  aiming 
his  rifle  at  some  prominent  person,  died  by  a  strag- 
gling ball  tiirough  his  heart.  He  staggered  a  few 
feet  backwards  and  fell  upon  a  bed,  where  he  in- 
stantly expired.  He  was  an,  ornament  to  our  little 
society.  The  amiable  Humphreys  died  by  a  like 
kind  of  wound,  but  it  was  in  the  street  before  we  en- 
tered the  buildings.  Many  other  brave  men  fell  at 
this  place  ;  among  these  were  Lieutenant  Cooper,  of 
Connecticut,  and  perhaps  fifty  or,  sixty  non-commis- 
sioned officera  and  privates.  The  wounded  were  nu- 
merous, and  many  dangerously  wounded.  Captain 
Lamb,  of  the  York  artillerists,  had  nearly  one  half 
of  his  face  carried  away  by  a  grape  or  canister  shot. 
My  friend  Steelp  lost  three  of  his  fingers  as  he  wad 
presenting  his  gun  to  fire ;  Capt.  Hubbard  and  Lieu- 
tenant Fisdle  were  also  among  the  wounded.  When 
we  reflect  u|)on  the  whole  of  the  gangers  at  this  bar- 
ricade,, and  the  formklable  force  that  came  to  annoy 
us,  it  is  a  matter  of  surprise  that  so  many  should  es- 
cape death  and  wounding,  as  did.  All  hope  of  suc- 
cess having  vanished,  a  retreat  was  contemplated ; 
but  hesitation,  uncertainty,  and  a  lassitude  of  mind 
which  generally  takes  place  in  the  afifairs  of  men, 
when  they  fail  in  a  project  upon  which  they  have  at- 
tached much  expectaiion,  now  followed.  That  mo- 
ment was  foolishly  lost  when  such  a  movement  might 
have  been  made  with  tolerable  success.  Capt.  Laws, 
«X  the  head  of  200  men,  issuing  from  Palace  gate, 


i  Xi 


126 


CAMPAIGN 


most  fairly  and  handsomely  cooped  us  up.  Many  of 
the  men,  aware  of  the  consequences,  and  all  our  In- 
dians and  Canadians,  (except  Natanis  and  another,) 
escaped  across  the  ice  which  covered  the  bay  of  St. 
Charles,  before  the  arrival  of  Captain  Laws.  This 
was  a  dangerous  and  desperate  adventure,  but  worth 
the  undertaking,  in  avoidance  of  our  subsequent  suf- 
ferings. Its  desperateness  consisted  in  running  two 
miles  across  eiboal  ice,  thrown  up  by  the  high  tides  of 
this  latitude — and  its  danger  in  the  meeting  with  air 
holes,  deceptively  covered  by  the  bed  of  snow. 

Speaking  circumspectly,  yet  it  must  be  admitted 
conjecturally,  it  seems  to  me  that  in  the  whole  of  the 
attack,  of  commissioned  officers  we  had  six  killed, 
five  wounded:  and  of  non-commissioned  and  pri- 
vates at  least  one  hundred  and  lifty  killed,  and  fifty 
or  sixty  wounded.  Of  the  enemy,  many  were  kill- 
ed and  many  more  wounded,  com'paratively,  than  on 
our  side,  taking  into  view  the  disadvantages  we  la- 
bored under  ;  and  that  but  two  occasioris  happened 
when  we  could  return  their  fire — that  is,  at  the  first 
and  second  barriers.  Neither  the  American  account 
of  this  aflfair,  as  published  by  Congress,  nor  that  of 
Sir  Guy  Cdrleton,  admit  the  loss  of  either  side  to  be 
so  great  as  it  really  was,  in  my  estimation.  It  seems 
to  be  a  universal  practice  among  belligerents  of  all 
nations  to  lessen  the  number  of  the  slsiin  of  the  side 
of  the  party  which  reports  the  event,  and  to  increase 
it  on  the  part  of  the  enemy.  Having  had  pretty  good 
opportunities  of  forming  a  just  opinion  on  the  subject, 
it  is  honed  diat  gentlemen  who  have  thought  or  writ- 
ten differently,  will  not  disdain  to  listen  to  my  argu- 
ment. As  to  the  British,  on  the  platform,  they  were 
fair  objects  to  us«  They  were  soon  driven  thence  by 
the  acuteness  of  our  shooting,  which,  in  our  appre- 
hension, must  have  destroyed  many.    Perhaps^there 


h( 


AGAINST  QVCBEC. 


127 


Many  of 
ill  our  In- 

another,) 
)ay  of  St. 
ys.  This 
but  worth 
jquent  suf- 
nning  two 
gh  tides  of 
ig  with  air 

lOW. 

e  admitted 
hole  of  the 
six  killed, 
i  and  pri- 
I,  and  fifty 
were  kill- 
ily,  than  on 
res  we  la- 
5  happened 
at  the  first 
ah  account 
)or  that  of 
■  side  to  be 
It  seems 
rents  of  all 
of  the  side 
to  increase 
pretty  good 
the  subject, 
ght  or  writ- 

0  my  argu- 
,  they  were 

1  thence  by 
our  appre- 
rhaps^there 


never  was  a  body  of  men  associated,  who  better  un- 
derstood the  use  and  manner  of  employing  a  rifle, 
than  our  corps,  which  by  this  time  of  the  attack,  had 
their  guns  in  good  order.  When  we  took  possession 
of  the  houses,  we  had  a  greater  range.  Our  oppr- 
tunities  to  kill  were  enlarged.  Within  one  hundred 
yards  every  man  must  die.  The  British,  however, 
were  at  home — they  could  easily  drag  their  dead  out 
of  sight,  and  bear  their, wounded  to  the  hospital.  It 
was  the  reverse  with  us.  Captain  Prentiss,  who  com> 
manded  the  provost  guards,  while  we,  were  prisoners 
would  tell  me  of  .seven  or  eight  killed,  and  fifteen  or 
twenty  wounded.  Opposed  to  this,  the  sentries,  (who 
were  mostly  Irishmen,  that  guarded  us,  with  much 
simplicity,  if  not  with  honesty,)  frequently  admitted 
of  forty  or  fiftjr  killed,  and  many  more  wounded.**^ 
The  latter  aiEeertions  accorded  with  my  opinion.  The 
reasons  for  this  belief  are  these :  When  the  dead,  on 
the  following  days,  were  transported  on  the  carioles, 

Eassed  our  habitation  for  deposition  in  the  ^*  dead 
ouse,"  we  observed  many  bodies  of  which  none  of 
us  had  any  knowledge :  and  again,  :when  our  woun- 
ded were  returned  fo  us  from  the  hospital,  they  uni- 
formly spoke  of  being  surrounded  there  in  its  niany 
chambers  by  many  of  the  wounded  of  the  enemy. 
To  the  great  honor  of  General  Carlton,  they  were 
all,  whether  friends  or  enemies,  treated  with  like  at- 
tention and  humanity.  The  reason  why  the  woun- 
ded of  our  side  bore  so  small  a  proportion  to  the  dead, 
seems  to  be  this :  In  the  long  course  we  ran  firom 
Palace  gate  to  the  first  barrier,  we  lost  many  men 
who  were  killed  outright,  but  many  more  di^  who 
were  merely  wound^,  yet  in  such  a  manner  as  in  a 
milder  region  to  make  the  case  a  curable  one.  A 
blow  from  a  ball  so  large  as  that  of  a  musket,  stag- 
gers a  man,  whether  the  wound  be  in  the  arm,  leg, 


y:^a 


1 '  I  ^ii 
I.-  ' 
]•■■ 


.  ! 


'I: 


:'5 


■\% 


■  r  -n 

u 

'''I'M 
r 


128 


CAMPAIGN 


or  elsewhere ;  if  in  staggering,  he  falls,  he  comes 
down  into  a  deep  bed  of  snow,  from  which  a^  hale 
man  finds  it  viery  difficult  to  extricate  himself.  Five 
or  ten  minutes  strug^gling  in  such  a  bed  benumbdthe 
strongest  man,  as  frequent  experiencie  has  taught  me ; 
if  the  party  be  wounded,  though  but  slightly,  twenty 
or  thirty  minutes  will  kill  him — not  because  of  the 
severity  of  the  wound,  but  by  the  intensity  of  the 
frost.  These  are  my  opinions,  'grounded  on  a  toler- 
ably distinct  and  accurate  knowledge  of  particular 
cases,  which  occurred  in  the  first  part  of.  the  attack, 
and  a  variety  of  information  obtained  afterwards  from 
individual  sufferers,  who  were  persons  of  credibility, 
rescued  from  death  by  the  humane  activity  of  Gen- 
eral Carleton.  About  9  o'clock  A.  M.  it  was  appa- 
rent to  all  of  us  that  we  must  surrender ;  and  ii  was 
done.  On  this  occasion  my  friend  General  F.  Nich- 
ols, by  his  own  native  spirit,  perseverance,  and.  de- 
termined bravery,  obtained  an  honorable  distinction 
and  acknowledgment  from  a  brave' and  distiliguish- 
ed  enemy.  It  enhances  his  merit  and  the  bodn, 
when  we  reflect  that  tlmt  eneniy  was  no  other  than 
General  Carlton,  an  ornament  such  as  would  grace 
any^ha^ion,  whether  in  the  worst  or  best  of  times. 
Some  privates  came  to  Lieutenant  Nichols  and  de- 
manded his  sword ;  the  requisition  was  peremptorily 
denied,  though  there  was  great  risk  in  the  refusal. 
He  retained  his  sword  till  he  met  with  Captain  En-* 
desly  of  the  enemy,  to  whom  it  was  surrendered ;  but 
with  the  exaction  of  a  promise  that  it  should  be  re- 
turned when  he,  (the  captive,)  should  be  released. 
In  the  August  folio  whig,  before  our  embarkation  for 
New- York,  Capt^m  Endesly  waited  on  Lieutenant 
Nichpl8)-and  in^  tlie  presence  of  all  the  American  of- 
ficers, re-delivered  the  sword,  under  the  assurance 
that  it  was  by  the  permiasion  and  command  of  Gen^ 


he  comes 
ch  a  hale 
elf.  Five 
numbs  (he 
lughi  me ; 
ly,  twenty 
ise  of  the 
ity  of  the 
on  a  toler- 
particular 
he  attack, 
i^ards  from 
:retlibility, 
y  of  Gen- 
wias  appa- 
and  it  was 
l1  F.  Nich- 
,  and.  de- 
distinction 
istiliguish- 
tlie  boon, 
)ther  than 
uld  grace 
of  times, 
and  de- 
•emptorily 
^e  refusal, 
ptain  En- 
iered ;  but 
luld  be  re- 
released, 
kation  for 
iieutenant 
lerican  of- 
assurance 
idof  Gen^ 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


129 


M 


eral  Carlton.  This  trait  in  the  character  of  Carlton 
adds  to  the  celebrity  of  his  derivation  and  manner  of 
thinking,  and  casts  into  a  dark  ground  the  characters 
of  most  of  the  principal  British  officers,  particularly 
the  Scotch,  who  had  much  influence  in  those  days, 
and  bore  towards  us  an  intemperate  hatred. 

The  commissioned  officers  and  some  of  the  cadets 
were  conducted  to  the  seminary,  a  respectable  build- 
ing. It  became  my  lot  in  one  way  or  other  to  be  lost 
in  the  crowd,  and  to  be  associated  with  the  non-com- 
missioned officers,  in  the  cornpany  of  some  of  whom 
ardent  and  perilous  duties  had  been  undergone. — 
These  nien  are  by  no  means  to  be  lessened  in  char- 
acter by  contrasting  them  with,  the  levies  made  in 
Europe,  or  those  made  since  that  time  incur  own 
country.  Many  of  our  sergeants,  and  even  of  our 
privates,  were  men  of  good  education,  and  substaii- 
tial  freeholders  in  our  own  country.  Upon  a  former 
occasion  you  were  told  the  story  of  the  respectable 
Dixon.  He  possessed,  (if  sordid  wealth  makes  the 
man,)  two-fold  the  riches  of  his  captain ;  and  if  it  be 
permitted  me  to  decide  |2pon  the  characters  of  men, 
five-fold  his  understandings  activity  and  spirit.  Ami- 
able Dixon!  Many  of  these  men,  in  the  progress  of 
the  bloody  scenqs  which  ensued,  becanie  props  of  our 
glorious  cause  in  defence  of  our  sacred  liberties.  All 
could  be  named.  Let  a  few  suffice.  Thomas  JBoydt 
so  often  spoken  of  in  the  wilderness  for  his  good  nu- 
mor,  hii  activity,  and  the  intensity  of  his  suiierings, 
struggled  gloriously  for  his  life  as  a  paptain,  and  died 
a  dreadful  death  by  the  hands  of  the  savages  in  1779, 
in  the  expedition  conducted  by  General  Sullivan  a- 
gainst  the  Six  Nation  Indians. 


^1  \m 
1 ', 


^;- i 


^  ■'.1 

I;'  ;! 


IV-tJ 


■'Ci'i 


ij 


180 


CAMPAiOlt. 


[Another  digr&«sion  is  here  made  in  Mr.  Henry's  Narrative,  both 
to  relieve  the  tedium  of  a  subject  which  treats  of  one  unvaried 
round  of  hardship  and  suffering,  and  to  contrast  the  recital  of  the 
same  event  as  given  by  an  eye  witness,  and  as  laid  down  by  the 
general  historian.  The  following  account  of  Montgomery's  at- 
tack  on  Quebec,  is  from  **Botta*s  History  of  the  War  of  the 
Revolution,"  a  work  reckoned  by^  critics  the  most  authentic  of 
any  yet  published  on  that  subject. 

The  reader  will  find  following  the  extract  above  alluded  to,  a  por- 
tion of  .an  Oration,  illustrative  of  the  Revolutionary  warfare, de* 
livered  on  the  occasion  of  the  removal  of  the  remains  of  Lieut. 
Thomas  Boyd  from  the  grave  near  where  he  fell,  to  Mount  Hope, 
in  Rochester,  August  20th,  1841,  by  Samuel  Treat,  of  Geneseo. 
lAeiU.  Thomas  Boyd  and  Thomas  Boyd^  mentioned  by  Mr. 
Henry,  are  identical.— Editor] 

■  -^  .  ,    -       .  r* 


\Jiecouht  qf  Montgon^ry't  Attack  on  Quebec,'] 


«( 


Montgomery,  having  determined  to  attempt  the  as- 
sault, convoked  a  council  of  war,  and  acquainted  them 
with  his  project.  "Without  denyinff  that  it  was  of  diffi- 
cult execution,  he  maintained  that  it  was  possible^  and 
that  valor  and  prudence  would  triumph  overall  obsta- 
cles. AH  were  in  favor  of  his  proposition.  A  few 
companies  of  Arnold,  dissatisfied  with  their  comman- 
der, alone  testified  repugnance.  But  Captain  Morgan, 
a  mfui  of  real  merit,  addressed  them  a  i^ersuasive  dis- 
course, and  their  opposition  ibased/  The  general  had 
already  arranged  in  his  mind  the  plan  of  the  attack, 
and  thought  of  all  the  means  proper  to  cany  it  into 
execution.  He  intended  it  should  take  place,  at  the 
same  time,  against  the  tipper  and  lower  town.  But 
understanding  that  a  deserter  had  given  notice  of  it  to 
the  governor,  he  resolved  to  divide  his  army  into  four 
corps,  two  of  which,  composed  in  great  part  of  the  Ca- 
nadians, under  the  command  of  Majors  Livingston  and 
Brown,  were  to  occupy  the  attention  of  the  enemy  by 
two  feigned, attacks  of  the  upper  town,  towards  St. 
John  and  Cape  Diamond.  The  two  others,  led,  the 
first  by  Montgomery,  the  second  by  Arnold,  were  re- 
served to  assault  the  lower  part  of  the  town  from  two 
opposite  points.     The  general  was  perfectly  aware, 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


nt 


rrative,  both 
one  unvaried 
recital  of  the 
down  by  the 
gomery's  at* 
War  of  the 
authentic  of 

ed  to,  a.  por- 
warfare.de- 
fns  of  Li^ut. 
IVf  ount  Hope, 
I  of  Geneseo. 
med.  by  Mr. 

ee.l 

ipt  the  as- 

inted  them 

v^as  of  diffi- 

ssible^  and 

r  all  obsta- 

a.    A  few 

•  comman- 

in  Morgan, 

iiasive  dis- 

eneral  had 

he  attack, 

rry  it  into 

ice,  at  the 

own.    But 

ce  of  it  to 

r  into  four 

of  the  Ca- 

igston  and 

enemy  by 

►wards  St. 

i,  led,  the 

were  re- 

from  two 

tly  aware, 


that  after  be  should  have  carried  this  part_of  Quebec, 
there  would  remain  many  difficulties  to  be  surmounted 
in  order  to  conquer  the  other.  But  he  hoped  that  the 
inhabitants,  on  seeing  so  great  a  proportion  of  their 
property  fallen  into  the  power  of  the  victors,  would 
force  the  governor  to  capitulate. 

The  l^t  day  of  the  year,  1775,  between  four  and 
five  o'clock  in  the  morning,  in  the  midst  of  a  heavy 
storm  of  snow,  the  four  columns  put  themselves  iii^mo- 
tion,-  in  the  best  order,  each  towards  the  point  assigned. 

It  is  said  that  Captain  Frazer,  of  the  Irish  emigrants, 
ingoing  his  round,  perceived-the  fuzees  which  the  A- 
mericans  fired  to  give  the  signal ;  and  that,  immediate- 
ly, without  waiting  furdier  orders,  he  caused  the  drums 
to  beat,  and  roused  the  garrison  to  arms.  The  columns 
of  Livingston  and  of  Brown,  impeded  by  the  snow  and 
other  obstacles,  were  not  in  time  to  e:!i:ecute  their  feints; 
But  Montgomery,  at  the  head  of  his,  composed  chiefly 
of  New- York  men,  adyftnced  upon  the  bank  of  the  riv- 
er, marching  by  the  way  denominated  Anse  de  «ier,  un- 
der Cape  Diamond.  Here  was  encountered  a  first 
barrier,  at  a  place  called  Potasse,  which  was  defended 
by  a  battery  of  a  few  pieces  of  cannon ;  further  on,  at 
the  distance  of  two  hundred  paces  from  this,  stood  a 
redoubt,  iumished  ^vith  a  sufficient  guard.  The  sol- 
diers that  composed  it,  being  the  greater  part  Canadi- 
ans, on  seeing  the  enemy  approach,  were  seized  with 
terror,  threw  down  their  arms,  and  fled.  The  battery 
itself  was  abandoned ;  and  if  the  Americans  could  have 
advanced  with  sufficient  expedition,  they  would  cer- 
tainly have  been  masters  of  it.  But  in  turning  Cape  Di- 
amond, the  foot  of  which  is  bathed  by  the  waters  of  the 
river,  they  found  the  road  interrupted  by  enormous 
masses  of  snow.  Montgomery,  with  his  own  hands, 
endeavored  to  open  a  path  for  his  troops,  who  followed 
him,  man  by  man  ;  he  was  compelled  to  wait  for  them. 
At  length,  having  assembled  about  two  hundred,  whom 
he  encouraged  with  voice  and  example,  he  moved  cour- 


If 

m 


\i\ 


f-r.t'S. 


i'M 


m 


183 


CAMPAIGN 


ageously  and  rapidly  towards  the  barrier.  But,  in  the 
mean  time,  a  cannoni&r  who  had  retreated  from  the 
battery,  on  seeing  th^  enemy  halt;  returned  to  his  post, 
and  taking  a  match,  which  happened  (o  be  still  burn- 
ing, fired  a  cannon  charged  with  grape  shot;  the  A- 
mericans  were  within  forty  paces.  This  single  explo- 
sion totally  extinguished  the  hopes  they  had  conceived. 
Montgomery,  as  well  as  Captains  Macpherson  and 
Cheeseman,  both  young  men  of  singulai'  merit,  and 
dear  to  the  general,  were  killed  upon  the  spot.  The 
soldiers  shrunk  back  on  seeing  their  general  fall ;  and 
Colonel  Caipnipbell,  on  whom  the  command  devolved, 
was  not  a  man  copable  of  executing  so  perilous,  an  en- 
terprize.  The  flight  soon  became  universal ;  so  that 
this  pJEurt  of  the  garrison,  no  loniger  having  enemies  to 
combat,  was  at  liberty  to  fly  to  the  succor  of  that  which 
was  attacked  by  Arnold. 

This  colonel,  who  was  himself  at  the  head  of  the 
forlorn  hope,  inarched  by  the  way  of  St.  Roque,  to- 
wards the  place  called  Saut-att-^ateht.  Capt.  Lamb 
followed  him  with  a  company  of  artillery,  and  one 
piece  of  cannon ;  next  came  the  main  body,  preceded 
by  the  riflemen  uhder  Captain  Morgan.  The  besiged 
had  erected,  at  the  entrance  of  the  avenue,  a  battery, 
which-  defended  a  barrier.  The  Americans  found  them- 
selves confined  within  a  passage  obstructed  by  deep 
snow,  and  so  commanded  by  the  works  of  the  enemy, 
that  his  grape  shot  swept  it  in  every  direction.  Miean- 
while,  Arnold  advanced  rapidly  under  the  fire  of  the 
beseiged,  who  manned  the  waUs.  He  received  a  mus- 
ket ball  in  the  leg,  which  wounded  him  severely,  splin- 
tering the  bone.  It  was  necessary  to  carry  him  to  the 
hospital^  almost  by  compulsion.  Captain  Morgan  then 
took  the  command,  and  with  all  the  impetuosity  of  his 
character,  he  launched  himself  against  the  battery,  at 
the  head  of  two  companies.  The  artillery  of  the  ene- 
my continued  to  fire  grape  shot,  but  with  little  eflect. 

The  American  riflemen,  celebrated  for  their  extreme 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


183 


It,  in  the 
Tom  the 
I  his  post, 
ill  burn- 
;  the  A- 
ie  explo- 
mceived. 
'son   and 
erit,  and 
ot.     The 
fail;  and 
levolved, 
ud,  an  en- 
;   BO  that 
nemies  to 
hat  which 

id  of  the 
Loque,  to- 
bt.  Lamb 
and  one 
preceded 
e  besiged 
a  battery, 
ind  them- 
by  deep 
ie  enemy, 
1.    Miean- 
re  of  the 
ed  a  mus- 
ely,  splin- 
lim  to  the 
rgan  then 
ity  of  his 
attery,  at 
the  ene- 
e  effect, 
r  extreme 


address,  killed  many  of  the  British  soldiers  through  the 
embrasures.     They  applied  ladders  to  the  parapet ;  the 
besieged  were  daunted,  and  abandoned  the  battery  to 
the  assailants.     Morgan,  with  his  companies,  and  a  few 
soldiers  of  the  centre,  who  were  come  up  to  the  van- 
guard, made  many  prisoners,  English  as  well  as  Cana- 
dians ;  but  his  situation  became  extremely  critical. — 
The  main  body  had  not  yet  been  able  to  join  him ;  he 
had  no  guide,  and  he  was  unacquainted  with  the  city ; 
he  had  no  artillery,  and  the  day  was  still  far  from  dawn- 
ing.    He  found  himself  constrained  to  halt ;  his  sol- 
diers began  to  reflect  upon  their  position  ;  their  ardor 
cooled  rapidly.     The  ignorance  in  which  they  were  of 
the  fate  of  their  columns,  the  obscurity  of  the  night, 
the  snow  which  fell  with  redoubled  violence,  the  firing 
of  musketry,  which  was  heard  on  every  side,  and  even 
behind  them,  finally,  the  uncertainty  of  the  future,  fill- 
ed the  boldest  spirits  with  an  involuntary  terror.  Mor- 
gan alone  resisted  the  panic ;  he  rallied  his  riflemen, 
promising  them  certain  victory.     He  ran  to  the  barri- 
er, to  spur  on  those  who  had  remained  behind.     Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Green,  Majors  Bigelowand  Meigs,  join- 
ed him  with  their  companies.     The  morning  began  to 
dawn,  when  Morgan,  with  a  terrible  voice,  summon- 
ed his  troops  to  the  assault ;  he  led  on  with  fury  a- 
gainst  a  second  battery,  which  he  knew  to  be  only  a 
few  paces  distant,  though  masked  by  an  angle  of  the 
road  ;  on  turning  the  comer,  he  encountered  a  detach- 
ment of  English,  who  had  sallied  from  the  battery,  un- 
der the  command  of  Captain  Anderson.     The  latter 
summoned  the  Americans  to  lay  down  arms.    Morgan 
levelled  a  musket  at  his  head,  and  laid  him  dead  upon 
the  ground.     The  English  then  retreated  within  t^ 
battery,  and  closed  the  barrier.    A  fierce  combat  ensu- 
ed, which  cost  many  lives  to  tlie  two  parties,  but  most 
to  the  Americans,  whose  flanks  were  exposed  to  a  de-^ 
structive  fire  of  musketry  from  the  windows  of  the 
houses.    Meanwhile,  some  of  the  most  adventurous, 

12 


k 


Sfc. 


',  m 


11 

5'   ^- 


'I 


m 


184 


CAMPAIGN 

ladders  against  the  palisade, 


seeing 


of 


having  rested  the 
peared  disposed  t 

soldiers  prepared  to  receive  them  on  the  points  of  their 
bayonets,  they  renounced  this  project.  Cut  down  by 
a  continual  fire,  they  now  sought  shelter  in  the  houses. 
Morgan  remained  almost  alone,  near  the  barrier,  en- 
deavoring in  vain  to  recall  his  soldiers,  and  inspire  them 
vnth  fresh  courage.  Weariness,  and  the  menacing 
countenance  of  the  enemy,  had  disheartened  the  most 
audacious.  Their  arms,  bathed  by  the  snow,  which 
continued  to  fall  impetuously,  were  no  longer  of  any 
use  to  them.  Morgan  then,  seeing  the  expedition  frus- 
trated, ordered  the  retreat  to  sound,  to  avoid  being  sur- 
rounded. But  the  soldiers  who  had  taken  refuge  in 
the  houses  were  afraid  to  expose  themselves  to  the  tem- 
pest of  shot  that  must  have  been  encountered,  in  gain- 
ing the  comer  of  the  avenue,  where  they  would  havo 
been  out  of  danger,  and  whence  they  might  have  re- 
tired behind  the  first  barrier.  The  loss  they  had  sus- 
tained, the  fury  of  the  storm,  and  the  benumbing  ef- 
fects of  the  cold,  had  deprived  them  of  all  courage. 
In  the  meantime,  a  detachment  of  the  beseiged,  sallied 
out  from  a  gate  of  the  palace,  and  Captain  Dearborne, 
who,  with  his  company  of  provincials,  held  himself  in 
reserve  near  this  gate,  having  surrendered,  Morgan  saw 
himself  encircled  by  enemies.  He  proposed  to  his 
followers,  to  open,  with  arms,  the  way  of  retreat ;  but 
they  refused,  m  the  hope  that  the  assault  given  on  the 
other  part  might  have  succeeded,  and  that  Montgomery 
would  soon  come  to  their  relief.  They  resolved  to  de- 
fend themselves,  in  the  meantime ;  but  having  at  length 
perceived,  by  the  continually  increasing  multitude  of 
enemies,  the  true  state  of  things,  they  yielded  to  des- 
tiny, and  laid  down  arms. 

Such  was  the  issue  of  the  assault  given  by  the  Amer- 
icans to  the  city  of  Quebec,  in  the  midst  of  the  most 
rigorous  season  of  the  year;  an  cnterprizo,  which, 
though  at  first  view  it  may  seem  rash,  waA  certainly 


sade,  ap- 
o  files  of 
ts  of  their 
clown  by 
e  houses, 
rrier,  en- 
pire  them 
menacing 
the  most 
w,  which 
ir  of  any 
ition  frus- 
being  sur- 
refuge  in 
o  the  tem- 
3,  in  gain- 
ould  have 
it  have  re- 
r  had  sus- 
mbing  ef- 
courage. 
id,  sallied 
earborne, 
limself  in 
irgan  saw 
led  to  his 
reat;  but 
en  on  the 
intgomery 
Ived  to  de- 
^  at  length 
iltitude  of 
sd  to  des- 

the  Amer- 

thc  most 

>,  which, 

certainly 


>         AGAINST  QUElSor^  /^/•»    ,35 

not  impossible.  The  events  themselves  have  proved 
it ;  for  if  General  Montgomery  had  not  been  slain  at 
the  first  onset,  it  is  more  than  probable  that  on  his  part 
he  would  have  carried  the  barrier,  since  even  at  the 
moment  of  his  death  the  battery  was  abandoned,  and 
only  served  by  a  few  men  ;  by  penetrating  at  this  point, 
while  Arnold  and  Morgan  obtamed  the  same  advanta- 
ges in  their  attacks,  all  the  lower  city  would  have  fall- 
en into  the  power  of  the  Americans.  However  this 
may  be,  though  victory  escaped  them,  their  heroic  ef- 
forts will  be  the  object  of  sincere  admiration.  The 
governor,  using  his  advantages  nobly,  treated  the  pris- 
oners with  much  humanity.  He  caused  the  Amencan 
general  to  be  mterred  vdth  all  military  honors." 


lExtrctct  from  em  Otation,  by  Samuel  Treat,  EaqJ] 

**  Congress  at  length  determined  to  execute  the  project  pre- 
viously formed,  of  carrying  the  war  into  the  Indian  coun- 
try. Gen.  gjj^Uivan  was  ordered  to  ascend  the  Su8(^ue- 
hanna  to  Tioga  Point ;  and  Gen.  Clinton,  to  pass  tlirough 
the  Mohawk  Valley,  to  meet  the  former  officer  at  that 
place  of  rendezvous.  After  various  delays  caused  by  the 
character  of  the  country  through  which  the  march  watf  di- 
rected, the  combined  forces,  amounting  to  nearly  5000  men, 
were  ready,  on  the  22d  of  August,  1779,  to  commence 
the  campaign.  Sullivan^s  orders  were,  to  destroy  the  In- 
dian villages,  cut  down  their  crops,  and  inflict  upon  them 
every  other  mischief  which  time  and  circumstances  would 
permit,  and  not  to  return  until  the  cruelties  of  jVyoming. 
Cherry,  and  the  border-settlements  had  been  fully  avenffed. 
Permit  me,  before  detailing  the  events  of  this  campaign, 
to  glance  at  the  previous  history  of  a  few  of  those  gallant 
men  whose  mournful  fate  we  have  this  day  met  to  deplore. 
After  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  in  1778,  Morgan's  rifle- 
men were  sent  to  protect  the  settlements  near  Schoharie. 
Among  those  whose  term  of  service  had  expired  before 
I       the  autumn  of  *79,  was  the  bokl  Virginian,  Timotuy  Mur-     /) 


n 


%^-irtv 


I  I 


186 


mm     *^  %  •  ^^^ 


CAMPAIGN 


phy.     Instead  of  returning  home,  he  enlisted  in  the  mili* 
tia,  and  continued  to  wage  a  desultory  war  against  the  sav- 
ages then  hovering  over  the   Mohawk  settlements.     By 
his  fearless  intrepidity,  his  swifltness  of  foot,   his  prompt- 
ness for  every  hazarclous  enterprize,  he  was,  though  a  mere 
private,  entrusted  with  the  management  of  every  scouting 
party  sent  out.     He  always  earned  a  favorite  double  rifle, 
an  object  of  the  greatest  terror  to  the  Intjians,  who  for  a 
long  time  were  awe-struck  at  its  two  successive  dischar- 
ges.    In  the  hands  of  so  skilful  a  marksman,  the  greatest 
execution  always  followed  its  unerring  aim.     He  had  been 
several  times  surprised  by  small  Indian  parties ;  but,  with 
remarkable  good  fortune^  had  as  often  escaped.     When 
the  savages  had  learned  the  mystery  of  his  double  rifle, 
knowing  that  he  must  reload  after  the  second  discharge, 
they  were  careful  not  to  expose  themselves  until  he  twice 
filed.     Once,  when  separated  from  his  troop,  he  was  sud- 
denly surrounded  by  a  large  party  of  savages.     Instantly 
he  struck  down  the  nearest  roe,  and  fled  at  his  utmost 
speed.     Being  hard  pushed  by  one  runner,  whom  alone 
he  had  not  outstripped  in  the  flight,  he  suddenly  turned 
and  shot  him  on  the  spot.     Stoppmg  to  strip  his  fallen  pur- 
suer, he  saw  another  close  upon  him.     He  seized  the  rifle 
of  jhe  dead  Indian,  and  again  brought  down  his  victim. 
The  s&vaget,  supposing  au  danger  now  passed,  rushed 
heedlessly  on  witn  yells  of  frantic  rage.     When  nearly 
exhausted,  he  again  turned,  and,  with  the  undischarged 
barrel,  fired,  and  the  third  pursuer  fell.     With  savage  won- 
der, the  other  Indians  were  riveted  to  the  spot ;  and,  ex- 
claiming that  **  he  could  fire  all  day  without  reloading,*' 
gave  aver  the  pursuit     From  that  hour,  Murphy  was  re- 
garded by  the  savages  as  possessing  a. charmed  life.    When 
Clinton  passed  along  the  Mohawk,  on  his  way  to  Tioga 
Point,  he  again  joined  his  rifle  corps,  to  share  the  dangers 
of  the  marcD  into  the  wilderness. 

A  few  of  the  Oneida  warriors  joined  the  expedition, 
and  acted  is  guides.  Cornelius  and  Honyerry  had  distin- 
guished tbemselvei  in  the  battle  at  Oiiskany  ;  and,  from 


m 


.Vi.vi*5 


^%^■^^^%l^M 


^^U\^ 


m  «\ 


•  »k 


•     •i 


#  • 


the  mill- 
it  the  sav- 
mts.     By 
\  prompt- 
igh  a  mere 
|r  scouting 
uble  rifle, 
who  for  a 
3  discliar- 
le  greatest 
e  had  been 
but,  with 
I     When 
)uble  rifle, 
discharge, 
il  he  twice 
e  was  sud- 
Instantly 
his  utmost 
horn  alone 
;nlv  turned 
fallen  pur- 
ed  the  rifle 
his  victim, 
ed,  rushed 
len  nearly 
discharged, 
ivage  won- 
;  and,  ex- 
eloading," 
ly  was  re- 
fe.    When 
to  Tioga 
le  dangers 

ixpedition, 

had  distin- 

and,  from 


%K»f    A^^J 


fi^"'.'^ ' 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


\i7 


•**«t. 


the  destructive  fire  of  their  rifles,  been  marked  by  their 
foes  as  objects  of  especial  hatred. 

Murphy  was  placed  in  the  company  commanded  by 
Capt.  Simpson  and  Lieut  Thomas  Bovd.  This  was  also 
the  company  in  whfch  the  late  Mr.  Salmon,  who  subse- 
quently-resided in  Grovel:<r,d,  and  was  known  to  many 
who  hear  me,  served  during  this  expedition. 

Xieut.  Thomas  Boyd  was  born  in  Northumberland,  Pa. 
in  the  county  of  the  same  name,  in  the  year  1757.  His 
father  and  only  sister  died  before  the  commencement  of 
the  Revolutionary  struggle.  When  that  contest  begun, 
the  noble-hearted  widow  proved  herself  a  more  than  Spar- 
tan'molEer'."  "She,  too,  had  learned  the  great  lesson  oniB- 
ISHy,  aniTwas  prepared  to  make  any  and  every  sacrifice  in 
her  country's  cause.  In  the  langnage  of  our  venerable 
President — yoiirs,  gallant  Sir  !* — "  When  lire  and  sword 
had  ravaged  our  frontiers,  when  the  repose  of  the  defence- 
less settlements  was  disturbed  by  the  savage  war-whoop, 
and  the  bloody  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife  were  doing 
their  work  of  death,  then  this  noble  matron  gave her...three 
sons  to  God  and  h§x  couDJtiy,,  with  the  parting  injunction 
never  to  dishonor  their  swords  by  any  act  of  cowardice, 
or  disgrace  them  by  a  moment's  fear  or  reluctance,  when 
called  to  the  defence  of  home  and  freedom."  Lisut.  Wil- 
liam, her  second  son,  had  fulfilled  the  mother's  noble  re* 
quest,  and  laid  down  his  life  at  Brandywine,  a  willing  sac- ' 
rifice  at  his  country's  call.  The  mouldering  bones  of  the 
youngest,  Lieutenant  Thomas  Boyd,  now  lie  beneath  that 
sable  pall.  "  ^       -^.  .., 

All  the  necessary  preparations  being  completed,  Sulli- 
van's army  left  Tioga  on  the  morning  of  the  26th  of  Au- 
gust. The  Indians,  when  first  informed  of  the  contem- 
{)lated  expedition,  laughed  at  what  they  supposed  the  foi- 
y  of  a  regular  army  attempting  to  traverse  the  wilder- 
ness, to  drive  them  from  their  fastnesses.  When,  howev* 
er,  they  had  learned  that  the  campaign  was  determined  up- 
on, tlicy  resolved  to  make  an  early  stand  in  defence  of 


^1 


•*  Aajjo4'  Van  Campen. 


u 


:\$ 


12* 


J   '  < 


II 


■  I 


|l 


■'itjt- 


188 


CAMPAIGN 


their  crops  and  their  wigwams.  Accordingly,  a  large 
force,  variously  estimated  from  1,000  to  1,500  Indians  and 
rangers,  collected  near  Newtown,  to  risk  a  general  en- 
gagement. History  has  fully  recorded  the  particulars  of 
this  hard-fought  action.  The  combined  forces  of  British 
and  savages  at  last  fled  precipitately  across  the  river,  leav- 
ing behind  a  large  number  of  packs,  tomahawks,  and  scalp- 
ing knives.  The  disasters  of  this  terrible  battle  spread 
the  utmost  consternation  through  the  Indian  villages. — 
Many  a  brave  warrior  had  fallen,  and  the  death-song  was 
heard  in  every  town.  Their  warriors  seemed  struck  with 
a  panic  that  nothing  could  avert.  They  left  their  defiles 
and  the  dangerous  marshes  open  to  the  advances  of  their 
enemies,  and  fled  at  their  approach.  Sullivan  hastened 
forward  without  interruption,  destroying  every  thing  in  his 
route.  At  Honeoye  he  left  a  small  force  to  guard  the  sick 
and  provisions,  and  advanced,  with  the  utmost  caution,  to 
the  bead  of  Lake  Conesus. 

The  principal  villages  of  the  Seneca  tribe  were  situated 
alone;  Genesee  Valley.  A  few  miles  from  this  spot,  at 
the  fording  place  of  the  Canasaraga,  was  a  small  town 
and  council-nouse,  called  Williamsburg.  Little-Beard^s 
Town,  80  named  from  the  chief,  was  just  beneath  this  hill, 
and  stretched  for  nearly  a  mile  from  the  bridge  over  the 
creek  almost  to  the  cluster  of  houses  on  the  main  road  a«- 
crosB  the  valley.  In  the  centre  of  the  little  village,  just  at 
the  base  of  this  kill,  stood  the  council-house  of  this  fierce 
warrior  and  his  ferocious  clan.  Along  these  hillocks,  and 
for  a  short  distance  upon  the  valley,  were  their  largest 
corn  fields  and  vegetaole  gardens.  From  these,  their  fa- 
vorite haunts,  their  warriors  had  oft,  of  yore,  wandered  to 
the  far  South,  and  brought  back  the  scalps  of  the  Cataw- 
bas,  and  lavajred  the  towni  of  their  foes  in  the  distant 
twamps  of  Mtisiasippi  and  Alabama.  The  ruin  they  had 
oft  carried  into  the  wigwams  of  the  red  men  and  the  huts 
of  the  white  settlers,  was  now,  for  the  first  time,  to  fall 
upon  their  own  loved  homes.  They  resolved,  however, 
oDce  more  to  strike  in  defence  of  their  firesidei »  and  if 


■m 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


189 


fy  a  large 
ndians  and 
eneral  en- 
ticulars  of 
of  British 
iver,  leav- 
,  and  scalp- 
ttle  spread 
villages. — 
i-song  was 
struck  with 
heir  defiles 
:eJ  of  their 
n  hastened 
thing  in  his 
lard  the  sick 
,  caution,  to 

ere  situated 
lis  spot,  at 
small  town 
ttle-Beard^s 
ath  this  hill, 
e  over  the 
ain  road  a* 
Ilage,ju8tat 
f  this  fierce 
lillocks,  and 
heir  largest 
se,  their  fa- 
wandered  to 
the  Cataw- 
the   distant 
ID  they  had 
ind  the  huts 
ime,  to  fall 
however, 
defy  and  if 


possible  avert  the  impending  blow.  In  pursnance  of  the 
resolution  of  their  council,  they  lay  in  ambush  at  the 
head  of  Lake  Conesus,  near  an  Indian  town  on  what  is 
at  present  called  Henderson's  Flats.  At  the  approach  of 
the  army,  they  rose  suddenly  upon  the  advance>guard, 
which,  after  a  brisk  skirmish,  fell  back  upon  the  main 
body.  Fearing  a  repetition  of  the  destructive  havoc  which 
they  had  already  suffered  at  Newtown,  they  waited  not 
the  attack  of  the  whole  army  ;  but,  having  seized  two 
friendly  Oneidas,  fled  with  their  prisoners  into  the  adja- 
cent forest.  One  of  these  captives  had  been  Sullivan's 
principal  guide,  and  had  rendered  many  important  services 
to  the  Americans.  He  was,  therefore,  regarded  by  his 
captors  as  a  prisoner  of  no  little  consequence.  There  is 
an  incident  connected  with  his  fate,  worthy  of  note,  as 
presenting  a  striking  contrast  to  the  inhumanity  of  the  to- 
ry  brothers  at  Oriskany  and  Wyoming.  "  This  faithful 
Indian  had  an  elder  brother  engaged  with  the  enemy, 
who,  at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  had  exerted  all  his  pow- 
er to  persuade  the  younger  into  the  British  service  also, 
but  without  success.  At  the  close  of  this  skirmish,  the 
brothers  met  for  the  first  time  since  their  separation,  when 
they  had  respectively  chosen  to  travel  different  war-paths 
— the  younger  a  prisoner  to  the  elder.  The  latter  had  no 
sooner  recognized  his  brother  after  the  melee,  than  his  eyes 
kindled  with  that  fierce  and  peculiar  lustre  which  lights  up 
the  eyes  of  a  savage  when  meditating  reyenge.  Ap- 
proaching him  haughtily,  he  spoke  thus : 

"Brother!  you  have  merited  death.  The  hatchet  or 
the  war-club  shall  finish  your  career.  When  I  begged  of 
you  to  follow  me  in  the  fortunes  of  war,  you  were  deaf  to 
my  entreaties. 

"  Brother !  you  have  merited  death,  and  shall  have 
your  deserts.  When  the  rebels  raised  their  hatchets  to 
fi^ht  their  good  master,  vou  sharpened  your  knife,  you 
brightened  your  rifle,  ana  led  on  our  foes  to  the  fields  of 
our  fathers. 

"  Brother !  you  have  merited  deatb,  and  ihall  die  b/ 


'I 


f'S 


i'^'.>S 


'•^jps,.- 


140 


CAMPAIGN 


***** 


our  hands.  When  those  rebels  had  driven  us  from  the 
fields  of  our  fathers,  to  seek  out  new  houses,  it  was  you 
who  could  dare  to  step  forth  as  their  pilot,  and  conduct 
them  even  to  the  doors  of  our  wigwams,  to  butcher  our 
children  and  put  us  to  death.  No  crime  can  be  greater. 
But  though  you  have  merited  death,  and  shall  die  on  this 
spot,  my  hands  shall  not  be  stained  with  the  blood  of  a 
brother.     Who  will  strike?'* 

A  pause  of  a  moment  ensued.  The  bright  hatchet  of 
Little  Beard  flashed  in  the  air  like  lightning,  and  the 
young  Oneida  chief  was  dead  at  his  feet.  Thus  did  the 
red  warrior  of  the  wilderness  prove  himself  nobler  than 
his  civilized  associates. 

After  the  skirmish  just  alluded  to,  Sullivan  encamped 
for  the  night  at  the  Indian  village,  and  was  detained  the 
next  day  to  build  a  bridge  over  the  inlet  and  marsh,  for 
his  artillery.  Early  on  the  evening  of  the  encampment, 
Lieut.  Boy^  requested  leave  to  advance  with  a  small  de- 
tachrr.cnt,  ^nd  reconnoitre  the  next  tow".  The  Indian 
guide,  Honyerry,  endeavored  iji  vain  to  dissuade  him  from, 
the  attempt.  The  army  was  near  the  red  men^s  strong- 
hold, and  their  warriors  lurked  behind  every  covert.  But 
the  gallant  Boyd,  fearless  of  danger  when  he  could  be  of 
service  to  his  country,  persisted  in  his  request,  until  the 
consent  of  his  commander  was  obtained.  He  set  out  up- 
on his  perilous  enterprise,  about  sunset,  with  a  small  band 
— the  brave  Honyerry  acting  as  his  guide.  Murphy,  ev- 
er ready  on  a  scout,  joined  the  troop  to  share  the  dangers 
of  the  attempt,  and  to  enjoy  the  excitement  of  fighting 
the  savages  in  their  own  way.  Near  the  summit  of  the 
hill,  about  one  mile  and  a  half  from  the  camp,  the  path  di- 
vided—one branch  being  in  the  direction  of  Williamsburg, 
the  other  of  Little  Beard's  Town.  Boyd  advanced  cau- 
tiously, and  took  the  former  path  to  the  Cansaraga.  A- 
ware  of  the  dangers  with  which  he  was  surrounded,  he 
proceeded  slowlv,  prepared  for  instant  action.  So  great 
were  the  difficulties  he  encountered,  that  the  night  was 
far  spent  before  he  reached  the  first  village.    Here,  all 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


141 


from  the 
was  you 
[1  conduct 
itcher  our 
le  greater, 
ie  on  this 
)loocl  of  a 

hatchet  of 
,  and  the 
IS  did  the 
Dbler  than 

encamped 
jtained  the 
marsh,  for 
campment, 
ei  small  de- 
""he   Indian 
le  him  from 
a's  strong- 
i^ert.     But 
could  be  of 
until  the 
set  out  up- 
mall  band 
urphy,  ev- 
le  dangers 
of  fighting 
mit  of  the 
he  path  di- 
liamsburg, 
need  cau- 
raga.     A- 
unded,  he 
So  great 
night  was 
Here,  all 


was  silent  and  deserted.  The  Indians  had  fled  but  a  short 
time  before,  as  their  fires  were  still  burning.  His  little 
troop  was  too  much  exhausted,  and  the  night  too  far  ad- 
vanced,  for  his  immediate  return.  He  determined  to  en- 
camp near  the  village,  and  at  early  dawn  to  despatch  two 
messengers  to  the  camp  with  the  information  that  the  ene- 
my had  not  yet  been  discovered ;  and  then  continue  his 
search  until  he  learned  the  position  of  the  enemy.  Sure- 
ly, a  more  hazardous  enterprize  was  never  undertaken :  a- 
bout  thirty  men,  seven  miles  from  their  camp,  a  dense  for- 
est between  them  and  the  army,  before  them  a  trackless 
morass,  the  Indians  lurking  perhaps  behind  every  tree, 
ready  to  fall  upon  their  prey.  But  Boyd  had  offered  his 
services  for  this  perilous  task,  and  lie  would  not  shrink 
from  its  performance.  Whilst  his  comrades  are  yet  buried 
in  sleep,  taking  with  him  the  dauntless  Murphy,  he  creeps 
cautiously  from  the  place  of  concealment,  until  he  gains  a 
view  of  the  village.  About  its  outskirts  they  perceive 
two  savages  stealing  along  the  woods ;  and  in  a  moment 
their  unerring  rifle"!  have  laid  their  foes  prostrate  in  death, 
and  Murphy  she'  is  in  triumph  the  reeking  scalp  of  his 
victim.  Fear'ijg  that  this  occurrence  would  alarm  the  In- 
dians hovering  near,  Boyd  now  thought  it  prudent  to  re- 
tire. 

During  that  night  the  red  warriors  had  not  been  idle. 
Little  Beard  had  summoned  his  braves  for  the  work  of 
vengeance,  and  the  messengers  of  Boyd  never  reached 
the  camp.  Brant,  with  five  hundred  warriors,  and  But- 
ler, with  an  equal  number  of  rangers,  at  early  dawn  set 
forth  from  Beard's  Town,  to  intercept  Boyd  and  his  party. 
They  selected  the  spot  where  the  two  paths  united,  near 
the  summit  of  the  hill,  for  their  ambuscade.  Concealed 
in  a  deep  ravine  near  the  adjacent  path,  they  were  hid  by 
the  dense  forest  from  the  view  of  the  army,  and  by  the 
brush-wood  from  the  path.  Whether  Boyd  returned  a- 
long  the  trail  from  Williamsburg  or  Beard's  Town,  they 
knew  he  must  pass  the  spot  where  they  lay  concealed.—- 
They  had  wisely  conjectured  that,  if  he  were  attacked  far- 


11 


m 


m. 


142 


CAMPAIGN 


M 


.  ther  from  the  army,  he  woul^  be  prepared  for  a  bloody  re- 
sistance ;  and  that  the  first  fire  would  hasten  a  large  de- 
tachment to  his  relief.  Whatever  was  done  must  be  ac- 
complished in  a  moment ;  and  their  success  would  be  cer- 
tain, if,  as  they  supposed,  he  should  relax  his  vigilance 
■when  so  near  the  camp, 

As  soon  as  Boyd  had  decided  to  reiurn,  he  arranged  his 
little  troop  to  avoid  being  thrown  into  confusion  on  a  sud- 
den attack.  With  Honyerry  in  front  and  Murphy  in  the 
rear,  their  eagle-eyes  fixed  upon  each  moving  leaf  and  wav- 
ing bough,  they  marched  forward  slowly  and  with  the  utmost 
caution.  Five  weary  miles  had  they  thus  traversed  the 
dangerous  route,  and  were  beginning  to  descend  the  hill  at 
whose  base  the  army  lay  encamped.  With  rapid  march 
they  hurry  on,  regarding  all  danger  as  now  past.  But  just 
as  they  emerge  from  the  thick  woodinto  the  main  path,  more 
than  five  hundred  warriors,  with  brandished  tomahawks, 
rise  up  before  them.  With  horrid  yells  they  close  in  upon 
their  victims  on  every  side.  Boyd^  is  not  wanting  in  this 
fearful  crisis.  Quick  as  thought  he  perceives  that  ag&inst 
the  fearful  odds — the  foe  twenty  times  his  own  number — 
one  chance  of  escape,  and  but  one,  remains — and  that,  the 
always  doubtful  step  of  striking  at  a  given  point,  and  cut- 
ting the  way  through  the  surrounding  foe.  At  the  word, 
his  gallant  band  fire  and  rush  to  the  onset.  The  charge 
tells  fearfully  upon  the  dusky  warriors,  and  a  ray  of  hone 
gleams  upon  their  clouded  fortunes.  With  unbroken  ranks 
not  one  of  his  own  comrades  yet  fallen,  he  renews  the  at- 
tack, and  still  the  third  time.  With  only  eight  now  left, 
he  braves  the  fierce  encounter  once  again.  The  fearless 
Murphy  indeed  bears  a  charmed  life.  He  tumbles  in  the 
dust  the  huge  warrior  in  his  path ;  and,  while  the  rude 
savages  are  shouting  with  kughter,  he  and  two  fortunate 
companions  escape.  True  to  his  own  dauntless  nature,  he 
turns  to  the  foe,  and,  with  clenched  fist,  hurls  at  them  a 
bold  defiance.  Poor  Honyerry,  noted  for  the  wonders  that 
he  had  wrought  at  Oriskany,  and  for  his  unwavering  at- 
tachment to  the  American  cause,  falls,  literally  backed  to 


U 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


143 


I  bloody  re- 
i  large  de- 
lust  be  ac- 
luld  be  cer- 
s  vigilance 

irranged  his 
n  on  a  sud- 
rphy  in  the 
af  and  wav- 
b  the  utmost 
iversed  the 
id  the  hill  at 
rapid  march 
st.    Butjust 
1  path,  more 
tomahawks, 
lose  in  upon 
ating  in  this 
that  agftinst 
Q  number — 
nd  that,  the 
nt,  and  cut- 
it  the  word, 
The  charge 
ray  of  hope 
Token  ranks 
jews  the  at- 
ht  now  left, 
The  fearless 
nbles  in  the 
lie  the  rude 
vo  fortunate 
18  nature,  he 
s  at  them  a 
wonders  that 
avering  at- 
y  backed  to 


pieces.  But  the  unhappy  Boy*^ — he,  the  gallant  and  no- 
ole-hearted  !  who  never  ha(i  known  fear  or  shrunk  from 
the  most  imminent  perils — he  and  the  equally  wretched 
Parker,  are  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the  merciless  enemy. 
At  this  frightful  moment,  what  are  the  emotions  of  these 
hapless  captives  1  Does  not  the  stout  heart  of  Boyd  now 
beat  slowly  ?  Is  not  his  cheek  yet  blanched  with  fear  ? 
No !  Not  such  his  spirit.  His  courage  fails  him  not,  e- 
ven  now.  "  Red  men,"  he  exclaims^  "  where  is  your 
chief.'  Bring  me  before  the  brave  warrior.  Aye,  bran- 
dish your  hatchets,  ye  coward  squaws,  against  the  help- 
less :  ye  dare  not  strike.  Your  chief,  I  say."  At  this 
request  the  upraised  tomahawk  is  turned  aside,  and  the  In- 
dian chief.  Brant,  stands  before  him.  At  the  mystic  sig- 
nal, known  only  to  those  initiated  into  the  secrets  of  the 
craft,  the  stern  brow  of  the  warrior  is  relaxed,  and  Boyd 
and  Parker  are  safe. 

The  approach  of  Hand's  brigade  causes  the  immediate 
flight  of  the  Indian  foe ;  and,  in  mad  haste,  they  hurry  a- 
way  with  their  prisoners,  leaving  behind  their  blankets 
and  the  rifles  of  their  victims.  But  this  friendly  succor 
comes  too  late.  The  fearful  strife  is  over,  and  the  red 
men  are  done.  Brant  leaves  the  unfortunate  Boyd  and 
Parker  in  the  charge  of  Butler,  and  withdraws  to  provide 
for  the  coming  danger.  With  painful  march,  the  captives 
pursue  their  cheerless  route,  amid  the  fierce  exultation  of 
the  savage  Iribe,  to  the  Indian  village  at  our  feet. 

Wulj,gr  Butler,  than  whom  not  a  more  ruthless  fiend  ev- 
er cureeotKeKiuman  form,  summons  before  him  the  two 
prisoners,  to  learn,  if  possible,  the  number,  situation,  and 
mtentions  of  Sullivan^s  army.  His  questions  remain  un- 
answered. Boyd  will  not,  even  by  a  word,  betray  his 
country's  cause  Peihaps,  relying  on  the  plighted  faith 
and  generous  nature  of  the  Indian  chief,  he  has  no  fears  for 
the  result.  Around  him  gather  the  painted  forms  of  the 
grim  savages  ;  and,  with  tomahawks  cutting  the  air,  and 
reeking  knives  thrust  towards  his  unprotected  breast,  a- 
mid  the  most  hideous  yells  and  frantic  g^tures,  demand 


»f  ■■  til 


;i*^ 


S.I.- 


n'^ 


4i 


144 


CAMPAIGN 


the  life-blood  of  their  prey.     Still  the  dauntless  Boyd 
trembles  not.     He  disregards  the  threats  of  his  base  inter- 
rogator, and  refuses  to  reply.     Denunciations  avail  not : 
danger  does  not  intimidate.     He  has  been  nurtured  in  a 
nobler  school  than  to  basely  yield  when  he  should  be  most 
firm.     His  country  calls — his  mother's  parting  charge  is 
still  fresh  in  his  memory.     He  cannot  falter.     She  had  en- 
graven on  his  heart  of  hearts,  deeper,  far  deeper,  than  all 
other  sentiments,  love  of  country  ;  and  love  of  life  cannot 
usurp  supremacy  in  this  direful  hour.     But  surely  it  can- 
not be,  that  a  man  educated  in  all  the  refinements  of  civil- 
ized life — early  nurtured   in  the  merciful   tenets  of  the 
Christian  faith,  against  whom  the  noble  prisoners  have 
been  guilty  of  no  more  heinous  offence  than  fighting  for 
liberty,  will — nay,  he  can  not  execute  his  bloody  threat. 
Do  you  doubt,  ye  hapless  pair,  that  such  a  monster  lives  } 
Ah !   remember  the  bloody  deeds  of  Cherry-Valley,  and 
know  that  such  a  monster  now  threatens  "  to  give  you  o- 
ver  to  the  tender  mercies  of  the  savages"  clamormg  for 
your  blood.     Again  the  question  is  asked,  and  again  Sovd 
shrinks  not.     The  fate  of  the  army  and  the  success  of  the 
expedition  hang  upon  his  firmness.     He  prefers  to  die,  if 
it  were  possible,  a  thousand  deaths,  rather  than  betray  the 
lives  of  his  country's   soldiers  and   her  holy   cause.     He 
well  knows  that  their  secret  must  remain  unrevealed  by 
his  lips — that  on  his  decision  now  rests  the  safety  of  the 
whole  army  ;  and  he  nobly  chooses,  by  his  own  fall,  to 
preserve  the  dangerous  secret  locked  in  his  own  speechless 
and  mangled  breast.     The  bloody  command  is  at  length 
given.     Little-Beard  and  his  clan  have  seized  their  help- 
less victims.     Stripped  and  bound  to  that  sapHnp^,  Boyd 
bears  the  death-knell  ringing  in  the  air,  and  sees  the  Je- 
moniac  ravings  of  his  ruthless  tormentors,  as  jnadly  they 
dance  around  him.     The  chief  takes  the  deadly  aim  :  his 
glittering  hatchet  speeds  through  the  air.     But  no :  this 
were  too  kind  a  fate.     It  quivers  in  frightful  proximity, 
just  above  his  uncovered  head.     Another  and  yet  another 
follows— still  they  glance  within  but  a  hair's  breadth  of 


.*^ 


:^A*;\ 


less   Boyd 
base  inter- 
avail  not : 
tured  in  a 
lid  be  most 
;  charge  is 
She  haa  en- 
r,  than  all 
life  cannot 
ely  it  can- 
its  of  civil- 
jets  of  the 
oners  have 
ighting  for 
ody  threat, 
[ister  lives  ? 
Valley,  and 
^ive  you  o- 
amoring  for 
again  !Poyd 
ccess  of  the 
rs  to  die,  if 
1  betray  the 
cause.     He 
evealed  by 
afety  of  the 
own  fall,  to 
n  speechless 
is  at  length 
1  their  help- 
)linp,  Boyd 
lees  the  de- 
4nadly  they 
ly  aim :  his 
ut  no :  this 

proximity, 
yet  another 

breadth  of 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


14S 


his  throbbing  temples.  Their  fury  becomes  too  great  for  so 
bloodless  sport.  Now  they  tear  out  his  nails — his  eyes — 
his  tongue — and — But  the  horrors  of  that  awful  hour 
are  too  agonizing  for  description.  The  ear  is  pained  at 
the  direful  tale.  The  mind  revolts  at  the  cruel  reality. 
Poor  Parker,  thine  is  a  milder  death.  With  one  blow, 
your  frightful  suspense,  as  you  lay  a  witness  of  your  hero- 
ic leader's  anguish,  and  expect  a  similar  fate,  is  ended.— 
Noble  men  !  could  we  but  conjure  up  the  agonies  of  your 
last  hour — could  mortal  tongue  disclose  the  secret  emo- 
tions of  your  souls,  the  fierce  pain  of  your  mangled  limbs — 
every  heart  in  this  assembly  would  cease  to  pulsate,  every 
cheek  grow  pale  with  horror.  Gallant  Boyd — thy  widow- 
ed mother^s  sacred  injunction  has  been — oh  !  how  sacred- 
ly— obeyed.  Here,  in  the  depths  of  the  wilderness,  you 
ceased  not  to  cheiish  the  spirit  of  her  own  noble  soul ;  and 
at  the  immense  price  of  the  most  lingering  death,  to  show 
that  your  love  of  liberty  was  stronger  than  all  ties  of  life 
and  kindred.  Far  away  in  your  native  village,  perhaps  at 
that  very  hour,  your  mother's  fervent  prayer  for  her  young- 
est and  her  darbng  son,  was  winging  its  course  to  the  mer- 
cy seat.  Little  did  she  imagine  with  what  pious  devotion 
you  were  fulfilling  your  high  duties  to  God  and  your  coun- 
try. Oh  I  what  will  be  the  fearful  agony  of  her  widow- 
ed soul,  when  she  learns  your  ciuel  fate!  Already  has 
she  mourned  your  elder  bi  other's  fall ;  and  now,  in  the 
bloom  of  early  manhood,  twenty-two  summers  scarcely 

f)a88ed  over  your  devoted  head,  and  your  mangled  corpse 
ies  unburied  in  the  remote  wilderness. 

Talk  not  of  Spartan  daring  nor  Roman  firmness,  to  il- 
lustrate his  matchless  heroism.  In  the  excitement  of  bat- 
tle, under  the  eyes  of  those  who  Will  honor  his  bravery, 
the  soldier  may  dare  the  chances  of  even  the  cannon's 
mouth,  to  win  undying  fame.  But  to  die  in  the  remote 
wilderness,  by  the  most  excniciating  torture — to  die,  too, 
with  the  power  of  safety  in  your  own  hands,  rather  than 
fail  in  your  duly,  even  by  a  word — to  die  where  no  pity- 
ing eye  can  behold  your  fate,  and  the  last  solemn  rites  of 

13 


I 


■W 


i 


%t 


I4« 


-h-; 


CAMPAtGN 


y 


ipi  I 


sepulture  cannot  be  performed  by  Christian  hands,  with 
no  one  to  bear  your  dying  words  to  your  bereaved  moth- 
to  know  and  feel  at  that  dread  hour,  that  her  scalding 


er 


tears  will  flow  in  torrents,  when,  as  the  dreary  months 
drag  heavily  by,  she  lingers  to  hear  fiom  some  passing 
•stranger,  if  perchance  her  youngest,  her  biave-hearted 
boy,  yet  lives — to  die  thus,  for  one's  country — where,  in 
the  annals  of  the  ^orld,  can  you  find  a  parallel  ? 

IMr.  Henry^s  JVarraiive  resumed.']  .  „I  , 

Charles  Porterfield,  who  lost  his  life  in  the  battle 
of  Camden,  when  in  the  station  of  a  colonel.  Jo- 
seph Aston,  of  Lamb's,  who  served  his  conntry 
throughout  the  war,  and  was  promoted  to  a  majori- 
ty. Doctor  Thomas  Gibson,  of  Hendricks',  who  di- 
ed in  the  performance  of  his  duty  at  Valley  Forge, 
in  the  winter  of  1778.  Robert  Cunningham,  a  weal- 
thy freeholder,  of  Smith's,  who  here  imbibed  the  seeds 
of  that  disorder  which  at  too  early  an  age,  hurried 
him  to  the  grave.  In  short,  many  others  might  be 
mentioned  in  the  general,  as  worthy  and  well  inform- 
ed as  their  superiors,  without  in  anywise  imputing  to 
the  latter,  in  so  saying,  the  slightest  degree  of  dispar- 
agement. This  will  always  be  the  case  when  the 
great  body  of  a  nation  rises  in  its  strength  to  defend 
its  rights.  Those  who  understand  the  point  in  ques- 
tion in  a  national  dispute,  and  are  most  strongly  im- 
pressed with  its  importance,  will  be  the  first  to  arm. 
'This  has  been,  and^ever  will  be,  the  dfspositions  of 
men  in  all  ages  past  or  to  come,  whenever  their  priv- 
ileges are  invaded.  Oflfices  of  prime  importance  can- 
not be  obtained  by  all.  Men  of  talents,  of  genius, 
and  courage,  must  step  into  subordinate  stations. 
Socrates,  Alcibiades,  and  Demosthenes,  fought  in  the 
ranks. 

God  in  his  great  goodness  grant,  in  the  future  vi- 


to  it,. 


lanJs,  with 
ived  moth- 
fier  scalding 
jary  months 
ime  passing; 
ave-hearted 
—where,  in 


I  the  battle 
ilonel.     Jo- 
lis  country 
to  a  majori- 
ks',  who  di- 
illey  Forge, 
am,  a  weal- 
id  the  seeds 
ge,  hurried 
a  might  be 
well  inform- 
imputing  to 
ee  of  disspar- 
jse  when  the 
th  to  defend 
oint  in  ques- 
strongly  im- 
first  to  arm. 
^positions  of 
er  their  priv- 
lortance  can- 
1,  of  genius, 
ate  stations, 
fought  in  the 

he  ifuture  vi- 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


UT 


ci^situdes  of  the  world,  that  our  countrymen,  when- 
ever their  essential  rights  shall  be  attacked,  will  di- 
vest themselves  of  all  party  prejudice,  and  devote  their 
lives  and  properties  in  defence  of  the  sacred  liberties 
of  their  country,  without  any  view  to  emolument, 
but  that  which  springs  from  glorious  and  honorable 
actions.  Pardon  me  for  frequent  digression,  upon  this 
subject  particularly,  as  my  whole  soul  was  bound  up 
in  our  cause,  you  must  forgive  me.  The  leal  apolo- 
gy is,  we  were  all  of  us  enthusiastic  whigs. 

When  under  guard,  in  the  morning  of  the  first  of 
January,  Colonel  M'Dougal,  a  Scotch  gentleman, 
near  noon  came  to  review  us  :  his  person  was  known 
to  me  at  Detroit,  as  an  intimate  of  an  uncle,  three 
years  before  this  time.  The  colonel  was  naturally, 
polite  and  kind-hearted.  When  it  came  my  turn 
to  be  examined,  as  to  name,  place  of  birth,  &c  be- 
sides making  the  proper  answers  to  his  inquiries,  I 
was  emboldened  to  declare  that  he  was  known  to  me. 
He  seemed  surprised,  but  not  displeased :  a  request 
was  immediately  added,  that  he  would  order  me  to 
be  transferred  to  the  quarters  of  the  officers.  "  No, 
my  dear  boy,"  said  he,  '^you  had  better  remain 
where  you  are  ;  the  officers,  as  you  are  in  rebellion, 
may  be  sent  to  England  and  there  tried  for  treason." 
The  advice  of  this  venerable  veteran,  made  an  im- 
pression on  my  mind,  which  was  then  agitated  by  a 
thousand  vagrant  thoughts,  and  involved  in  doubt 
and  uncertainty  as  to  our  destination.  We  then  well 
knew  of  the  voyage  of  Colonel «Ethan  Allen  to  Eng- 
land, and  the  manner  of  it;  and  that  of  George 
Merchant,  our  fellow  soldier — but  the  consequences 
were  unknown.  It  became  my  determination  td  take 
the  fatherly  advice  of  Colonel  M'Dougal,  for  it  was 
really  delivered  in  the  parental  style,  and  to  adhere 
to  it.    He  brought  one  of  his  sons,  whom  I  had  for- 


1 

i 

(  ■■Jill 


'!  I 


m 


^'^  CAMPAIGN    ''^ 


fit 


siii: 


merly  known,  to  see  me  on  the  following  day.  A- 
boiit  mid-day  we  were  escorted  to  a  ruinous  monas- 
tery of  the  order  of  St.  Francis,  called  the  Reguliers. 
It  was  an  immense  quadrangular  building,  contain- 
ing within  its  interior  bounds  half  an  acre  or  more, 
of  an  area,  which  seemed  to  be  like  a  garden  or 
shrubbery.  The  monks,  priests  or  whatnot,  who  in- 
habited the  house,  must  have  been  few  in  number, 
as,  for  my  part,  not  more  than  half  a  dozen  of  dis- 
tinct faces  came  into  my  view  while  we  staid  here. 
We  entered  by  the  ground  floor,  (that  is,  by  the  cel- 
lar,) the  building  on  that  side  being  built  on  the  de- 
clination of  the  hill,  which  in  this  part  of  the  city  is 
very  uneven.  The  apartments  on  our  right,  as  we 
entered,  seemed  to  be  filled  with  government  stores, 
and  with  provisions  of  all  kinds.  They  made  us  as- 
cend a  large  staircase  into  an  upper  story,  where  we 
were  complimented  with  two  sides,  or  rather  a  part 
of  eachx)f  the  sides  of  the  quadrangle.  The  whole 
buildinjl  would  have  accommodated  four  thousand 
men.  Monkish  spirit  must  have  been  in  high  vogue 
when  so  great  a  pile  could  be  erected  merely  from  the 
alms  of  the  people,  and  that  too,  for  so  egregiously 
absurd  a  purpose.  The  ranges  of  the  rooms,  though 
extensive  in  the  length  of  the  galleries,  were  small 
in  their  size,  being  scarcely  more  than  ten  by  twelve 
or  fourteen  feet.  The  galleries  were  about  twelve 
feet  wide;  many  rooms  were  comfortable,  others  were 
dilapidated.  Ten  or  a  dozen  of  our  poor  fellows 
were  compressed  inta  one  of  these  small  rooms.  So 
much  the  belter,  as  it  served  to  keep  them  the  warm- 
er. Boyd,  Cunningham,  and  a  few  of  our  intimates, 
took  possession  of  a  room  near  a  large  stove.  The 
first  week  we  slept  most  uncomfortably.  Gracious 
God  !  what  did  we  not  suffer. 
It  was  now  that  we  fully  learnt  the  destinies  of 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


lit 


ly.    A- 
moiias- 
guliers. 
coniain- 
)r  mure, 
Lfden  or 
who  in- 
number, 
1  of  dis- 
iid  here, 
the  ccl- 
1  the  de- 
le ciiy  is 
t,  as  we 
nt  stores, 
de  us  as- 
•here  we 
ler  a  part 
he  whole 
housand 
gh  vogue 
from  the 
regiOMsly 
s,  though 
ere  small 
jy  twelve 
It  twelve 
icrs  were 
fellows 
oms.     So 
hewarni- 
ntitnates, 
kre.     The 
Gracious 

fltinies  of 


our  dear  and  revered  general,  and  his  companions  in 
death.  But  allow  me  before  the  detail  of  that  sad 
story,  tp  give  you  an  anecdote.  The  merchants  of 
Quebec,  like  those  of  England  and  our  own  coun- 
try, are  a  spirited  and  generous  sect  in  society :  they 
applied  to  Governor  Carlton,  and  obtained  leave,  to 
make  us  a  "  New- Year's  gift."  This  turned  out  to 
be  no  other  than  a  large  butt  of  porter,  attended  by 
a  proportionate  quantity  of  bread  and  cheese.  It  was 
a  present  which  exhilerated  our  hearts,  and  drew  from 
us  much  thankfulness.  We  sliaied  more  than  a  pint 
per  man. 

General  Montgomery  had  marched  at  the  precise 
time  stipulated,  and  had  arrived  at  his  destined  place 
of  attack,  nearly  at  the  time  we  attacked  the  first 
barrier.  He  was  not  one  that  would  loiter.  Colonel 
Campbell,  of  the  New- York  troops,  a  large,  good- 
looking  man,  who  was  second  in  command  of  that 
parly,  and  was  deemed  a  veteran,  accompanied  the 
army  to  the  assault ;  his  station  was  rearward  ;  Gen- 
eral Montgomery,  with  his  aids,  were  at  the  point  of 
the  column. 

It  is  impossible  to  give  you  a  fair  and  complete  i- 
dea  of  the  nature  and  situation  of  the  place,  solely 
with  the  pen — the  pencil  is  required.  As,  (by  the 
special  permission  of  government,  obtained  by  the 
^ood  offices  of  Captain  Prentiss  in  the  summer  fol- 
lowing,) Boyd,  a  few  others,  and  myself,  reviewed 
the  causes  ot  our  disaster,  it  is  therefore  in  my  pow- 
er, so  far  as  my  abilities  will  permit,  to  give  you  a  tol- 
erable notion  of  the  opot.  Cape  Diamond  nearly  re- 
sembles the  great  j  Jlting  rock  which  is  in  the  nar- 
rows at  Hunter's  falic,  on  the  Susquehanna.  The 
rock,  at  the  latter  place,  shoots  out  as  steep  as  that 
at  Quebec,  but  by  no  means  forms  so  great  an  an- 
gle on  the  margin  of  the  river :  but  in  more  craggy. 

13* 


"//, 

4't. 


li' 


«il 


m 


^^^  CAMPAIGN    ^'A 


U''M 


There  is  a  stronger  and  more  obvious  difference  in 
the  comparison.  When  you  surmount  the  hill  at 
St  Charles,  or  the  St.  Lawrence  side,  (which  to  the 
eye  are  equally  high  and  steep,)  you  find  yourself  on 
Abraham's  Plains,  and  upon  an  extensive  champaign 
Country.  The  bird's-eye  view  around  Q,uebec  bears 
a  striking  conformity  to  the  sites  of  Northumberland 
and  Pittsburg,  in  Pennsylvania ;  but  the  former  is 
on  a  more  gigantic  scale,  and  each  of  the  latter  want 
the  steepness  and  cragginess  of  the  back  ground,  and 
a  depth  of  rivers.  This  detail  is  to  instruct  you  in 
the  geographical  situation  of  Quebec,  and  for  the  sole 
purpose  of  etp'  ining  the  manner  of  General  Mont- 

fomery's  de';  ■  a  .d  the  reasons  of  our  failure. — 
Vom  Wolfe's  cove  there  is  a  good  beach  down  to, 
and  around  Cape  Diamond.  The  bulwarks  of  the 
city  came  to  the  edge  of  the  hill,  above  that  place. 
Thence  down  the  side  of  the  precipice,  slantingly  to 
the  brink  of  the  river,  there  was  a  stockade  of  strong 
posts,  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  high,  knit  together  by  a 
'stout  raiting,  at  bottom  and  top  with  pins.  This  was 
no  mean  defence,  and  was  at  the  distance  of  one 
hundred  yards  from  the  point  of  the  rock.  Within 
this  palisade,  and  at  a  few  yards  from  the  very  point 
itself,  there  was  a  like  palisade,  though  it  did  not  run 
to  high  up  the  hill.  Again,  within  Cape  Diamond, 
and  probably  at  a  distance  of  fifty  yards,  there  stood 
a  block  house,  which  seemed  to  take  up  the  space 
between  the  foot  of  the  hill  and  the  precipitous  bank 
of  the  river,  leaving^  a  cart-way,  or  passage  on  each 
side  of  it.  When  heights  and  distances  are  spoken 
of,  you  must  recollect  that  the  description  of  Cape 
Diamond  and  its  vicinity,  is  merely  that  of  the  eye, 
made,  as  it  were,  running,  under  the  inspection  of 
an  ofiicer.  The  review  of  the  ground  our  army  had 
Aotod  upon,  WM  accorded  to  110  ae  a  particular  iavor. 


isade. 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


151 


jrence  in 
e  hill  at 
'.li  to  the 
)u I  self  on 
ainpaign 
bee  bears 
mberland 
former  is 
Ltter  want 
mnd,  and 
ict  you  in 
>r  the  sole 
ral  Mont- 
failure. — 
down  to, 
ks  of  the 
lat  place, 
ntingly  to 
of  strong 
ither  by  a 
This  was 
ce  of  one 
Within 
very  point 
id  not  run 
Diamond, 
I  ere  stood 
the  space 
tous  bank 
e  on  each 
re  spoken 
of  Cape 
f  the  eye, 
pection  of 
army  had 
alar  fovor* 


Even  to  have  stepped  the  paces  in  a  fornial  manner, 
would  have  been  dishonorable,  if  not  a  species  of 
treason.  A  block  house,  if  well  constructed,  is  an 
admirable  method  of  defence ;  which  in  the  process 
of  the  war,  to  our  cosst,  was  fully  experienced.  In 
the  instance  now  before  us,  though  the  house  was 
not  built  upon  the  most  approved  principles,  yet  it 
was  a  formidable  object.  It  was  a  square  of  perhaps 
forty  or  fifty  feet.  The  large  logs,  neatly  squared, 
were  tightly  bound  together  by  dove-tail  work.  If 
not  much  mistaken,  the  lower  story  contained  loop 
holes  for  musketry,  so  narrow  that  those  within  could 
not  be  harmed  from  without.  The  upper  story  had 
four  or  more  port  holes  for  cannon  of  a  large  calibre. 
These  guns  were  charged  with  grape  or  cannister 
shot,  and  were  pointed  with  exactness  towards  the 
avenue  at  Cape  Diamond.  The  hero  Montgomery 
came.  The  drowsy  or  drunken  guard  did  not  hear 
the  sawing  of  the  |K)sts  of  the  first  palisade.  Here, 
if  not  very  erroneous,  four  posts  were  sawed  and 
thrown  aside,  so  as  to  admit  four  men  abreast.  The 
column  entered  with  a  manly  fortitude.  Mont«^om- 
ery,  accompanied  by  his  aids  MThersonand  ('heese- 
man,  advanced  in  front.  Arriving  at  the  second  pal- 
isade, the  general,  with  his  own  hands,  sawed  down 
two  of  the  pickets  in  such  a  manner  as  to  admit  two 
men  abreast.  I'hese  sawed  pickets  were  close  un- 
der the  hill,  and  but  a  few  yards  from  the  very  point 
of  the  rock,  out  of  the  view  and  fire  of  the  enemy 
from  the  block  house.  Until  our  troops  advanced  to 
the  point,  no  harm  could  ensue,  but  by  stones  thrown 
from  above.  Even  now  there  had  been  but  an  im- 
perfect discovery  of  the  advancing  of  an  enemy,  and 
that  only  by  the  intoxicated  guard.  The  guard  fled ; 
the  general  advanced  a  few  paces.  A  drunken  sail- 
or returned  to  bis  gun,  swearing  he  would  not  for- 


i 


CAMPAIGN 

sake  it  white  undischarged.  This  fact  is  related  from 
the  testimony  of  the  guard  on  the  morning  of  our 
capture,  some  of  those  tiailors  being  our  guard.  Ap- 
plying the  match,  this  single  discharge  deprived  us 
of  our  excellent  commander. 

Examing  the  spor,  the  officer  who  escorted  us,  (pro- 
fes:«ing  to  be  one  of  those  who  first  came  to  the  place 
after  the  death  of  the  general,)  showed  llv>  position 
in  which  the  general's  body  was  foimd.  It  lay  two 
paces  fiom  the  brink  of  the  river,  on  the  back,  the 
arms  extended.  Cheeseman  lay  on  the  left,  and  M'- 
Pherson  on  the  right,  in  a  triangular  position.  Two 
other  brave  men  lay  near  them.  The  ground  a- 
bove  described  was  visited  by  an  inquisitive  eye,  so 
that  you  may  rely  with  some  implicitness  on  the 
truth  of  the  picture.  As  all  danger  from  without  had 
vanished,  the  government  had  not  only  perntitted  the 
mutilated  palisades  to  remain  without  renewing  the 
enclosure,  hut  the  very  sticks  sawed  by  the  hand  of 
our  commander  still  lay  strewed  about  the  spot. 

Colonel  Campbell,  appalled  by  the  deafh  of  the 
general,  retreated  a  little  way  from  Cape  Diamond, 
out  of  the  reach  of  the  cannon  of  the  block  house, 
and  pretendedly  called  a  council  of  officers,  who,  it 
was  said,  jumified  his  receding  from  the  attack.  If 
rushing  on,  as  military  duty  required,  and  a  brave 
man  would  have  done,  the  block  house  might  have 
been  occupied  by  a  small  number,  and  was  unassail- 
able from  without,  but  by  cannon.  From  the  block 
house  to  the  centre  of  the  lower  town,  where  we 
were,  there  was  no  obstacle  to  im|tede  a  force  so  pow- 
erful a«  that  under  Colonel  Campbell. 

Cowardice,  or  a  want  of  good  will  towards  our 
cause,  left  us  to  our  miserable  fate.  A  junction,  al- 
though we  might  not  conquer  the  ifortress,  would  en- 
able us  to  make  an  honorable  retreat,  though  with 


the 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


163 


iated  from 
ig  of  our 
ard.  Ap- 
prived  us 

j  U9,  (pro- 
I  ihe  place 
lO  posilion 
L  lay  two 
back,  the 
t,  and  M'- 
on.  Two 
rround  a- 
/e  eye,  so 
38  on  the 
thout  had 
milted  the 
I  wing  the 
i  hand  of 
spot. 

!h  of  the 
)iamond, 
ck  house, 
who,  it 
ack.  If 
a  brave 
ght  have 
unassail- 
te  block 
here  we 
e  so  pow- 

ards  our 
tion,  al- 
rould  en- 
gh  with 


the  logs  of  many  valuable  lives.  Campbell,  who  was 
ever  after  considered  as  a  poltroon  in  grain,  retreat- 
ed, leaving  the  bodies  of  the  general,  M'Pherson,  and 
Cheeseman,  to  be  devoured  by  the  dogs.  The  dis- 
gust caused  among  us,  as  lo  Campbell,  was  so  great 
as  to  create  the  unchristian  wish  that  he  might  be 
hanged.  In  that  desultory  period  though  he  was  tri- 
ed, he  was  acquitted  ;  that  was  also  the  case  of  Col- 
onel Enos,  who  deserted  us  on  the  Kennebec. 

On  the  3d  or  4th  of  January,  being,  as  it  were, 
domesticated  in  the  sergeant's  mess  in  the  RegulierSy 
a  file  of  men  headed  by  an  officer,  called  to  conduct 
me  to  the  seminary.  Adhering  to  the  advice  of  Col. 
M'Dougal,  the  invitation  was  declined,  though  the 
hero  Morgan  had  solicited  this  grace  from  Governor 
Carlton,  and  had  sent  me  a  kind  and  pressing  mes- 
sage. My  reasons,  which  were  explained  to  Mor- 
gan, in  addition  to  the  one  already  given,  operated 
forcibly  on  my  mind.  Having  lost  all  my  clothes  in 
the  wilderness,  except  tho!?e  on  my  back,  and  those 
acquired  by  the  provident  and  gratuitous  spirit  of 
General  Montgomery,  nothing  remained  fitting  me 
to  appear  in  company  anywhere.  Additionally,  it 
had  become  a  resolution,  when  leaving  Lancaster, 
(as  my  absence  would  go  near  to  break  the  hearts  of 
my  parents,)  never  to  break  upon  my  worthy  father's 
nurse.  Dire  necessity  compelled  me  to  rescind  this 
resolution,  in  part,  in  the  wilderness;  but  that  cir- 
cun)stance  made  me  the  more  determined  to  adhere 
to  the  resolve  afterwards  :  again,  my  intimate  friends 
were  not  in  the  seminary.  Steele  was  in  the  hospi- 
tal, and  Simpson,  (by  previous  command,)  on  the 
charming  Isle  of  Orleans ;  which,  from  its  fruitluU 
ness,  had  become,  as  it  were,  our  store-house.  Acid 
to  all  these  reasons:  it  could  not  be  said  of  the  gen- 
tlemen in  the  seminary   **  they  are  my  intimates," 


^ 


m  CAMPAIGN 

except  as  to  Captain  Morgan,  and  Lieut.  F.  Nichols 
of  Hendricks'.  Besides,  my  leather  small-clothes,  all 
in  fritters,  had  been  cast  away,  and  a  savage  cover- 
ing adopted  until  more  auspicious  times  came.  But 
even  now  an  idea  of  escape  and  vengeance  inflamed 
the  breasts  of  many,  and  we  were  here  in  a  much 
superior  situation  for  such  a  purpose,  than  that  of  the 
seminary.  More  of  this  hereafter.  All  these  facts 
and  circumstances  induced  an  evasion  of  ihe  friendly 
solicitation  of  the  kind-hearted  Morgan. 

On  the  third  day  of  our  capture  the  generous  Carl- 
ton despatched  a  flag  to  Arnold,  to  obtain  what  tri- 
fling baggage  we  had  left  at  our  quarters  ;  mine  was 
either  forgotten,  or  miserable  as  it  was,  had  been  plun- 
dered ;  but  as  good  luck  would  have  it,  the  knap- 
sack of  one  Alexander  Nelson  of  our  company,  who 
was  killed  when  running  to  the  first  barrier,  was  dis- 
claimed by  all  of  our  men.  Your  father  in  conse- 
quence laid  violent  hands  upon  the  spoil.  It  furnish- 
ed Boyd  and  myself  with  a  large,  but  coarse  blue 
blanket,  called  a  "stroud,"  apd  a  drummer's  regi- 
iTieutal  coat.  The  blanket  became  a  real  comfort, 
the  coat  an  article  of  barter.  It  was  on  this  day 
that  my  heart  was  ready  to  burst  with  grief  at  view- 
ing the  funeral  of  our  beloved  general.  Carlton  had 
in  our  former  wars  with  the  French,  been  the  friend 
and  fellow-soldier  of  Montgomery.  Though  politi- 
cal opinion,  perhaps  ambition  or  interest,  had  thrown 
these  worthies  on  diflerent  sides  of  the  great  ques- 
tion, yet  the  former  could  not  but  honor  the  remains 
of  bis  quondam  friend.  About  noon  the  procession 
passed  our  quarters.  It  was  most  solemn.  The  cof- 
fin, covered  with  a  pall,  surmounted  by  transverse 
swords,  was  borne  by  men.  The  regular  troops, 
with  reversed  arms,  and  scarfs  on  the  left  elbow,  ac- 
companied the  corpse  to  the  grave.     The  funerals  of 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


155 


^  Nichols 
iloihes,  all 
ige  cover- 
me.  But 
}  inflamed 
n  a  much 
hat  of  the 
hese  facts 
le  friendly 

rous  Cail- 

what  tri- 

mine  was 

aeeii  plun- 

^he  knap- 

Miny,  who 

r,  was  dis- 

in  conse- 

It  furnish- 

>ar6e  blue 

tier's  regi- 

comfort, 

this  day 

at  view- 

rlton  had 

le  friend 

gh  politi- 

(d  I  brown 

eat  ques- 

remains 

irocession 

The  cof- 

ansverse 

r  troops, 

Ibow,  ac- 

inerals  of 


I »'. 


the  other  officers,  both  friends  and  enemies,  were  per- 
formed this  day.  Fiom  many  of  us  it  diew  tears  of 
affection  for  the  defunct,  and  speaking  for  myself, 
tears  of  greeting  and  thankfulness  towards  General 
Carlton.  The  soldiery  and  inhabitants  appeared  af- 
fected by  the  loss  of  this  valuable  man,  though  he 
was  their  enemy.  If  such  men  as  Washington,  Carl- 
ton, and  Montgomery,  had  had  the  entire  direction 
of  the  adverse  war,  the  contention,  in  the  event,  might 
have  happily  terminated  to  the  advantage  of  both 
sections  of  the  nation.  M'Pherson,  Cheeseman, 
Hendricks,  and  Humphreys,  were  all  dignified  by  the 
same  manner  of  burial. 

On  the  same,  or  the  following  day,  we  were  com- 
pelled, (if  we  would  look,)  to  behold  a  more  disgust- 
ing and  torturing  sight.  Many  cdVioles  repeatedly, 
one  after  the  other,  passed  our  dwelling  loaded  with 
the  dead,  whether  of  the  assailants  or  of  the  garri- 
son, to  a  place  emphatically  called  the  '  dead  house.' 
Here  the  bodies  were  heaped  in  monstrous  piles.  The 
horror  of  the  sight,  to  us  southern  men,  principally 
consisted  in  seeing  our  companions  borne  to  inter- 
ment uncof!ined,  and  in  the  very  clothes  they  had 
worn  in  battle ;  their  limbs  distorted  in  various  di- 
rections, such  as  would  ensue  in  the  momentof  death. 
Many  of  our  friends  and  acquaintances  were  appa- 
rent. Poor  Nelson  lay  on  the  top  of  half  a  dozen 
other  bodies — his  arms  extended  beyond  his  head,  as 
if  in  the  act  of  prayer,  and  one  knee  crooked  and 
raised,  seemingly  when  he  last  gasped  in  the  agonies 
of  death.  Curse  on  these  civil  wars,  which  extin- 
guish the  sociabilities  of  mankind,  and  annihilate  the 
strength  of  nations !  A  flood  of  tears  was  conse- 
quent. Though  Montgomery  was  beloved,  because 
of  his  manliness  of  soul,  heroic  bravery,  and  suavity 
of  manners,  Hendricks  and  Humphreys,  for  the  same 


W 


•^ 


}66 


CAMPAIGN 


admirable  qualities,  and  especially  for  the  endurances 
we  underwent  iti  conjunction,  enforced  many  a  tear. 
Still  my  unhappy  and  lost  brethren,  though  in  hum- 
ble station,  with  whom  that  dreadful  wild  was  pene- 
trated, and  from  whom  came  many  attentions  to- 
wards me,  forced  melancholy  sensations.  From  what 
is  said  relative  to  the  "dead  house,"  you  might  con- 
clude that  General  Carlton  was  inhuman  or  hard- 
hearted. No  such  thing.  In  this  northern  latitude, 
at  this  season  of  the  year,  according  to  my  feelings, 
(we  had  no  thermometer,)  the  weather  was  so  cold 
as  usually  to  be  many  degrees  below  0.  A  wound,  if 
mortal,  «r  even  otherwise,  casts  the  party  wounded 
into  the  snow  ;  if  death  should  follow  it  throws  the 
sufferer  into  various  attitudes,  which  are  assumed  in 
the  extreme  pain  accompanying  death.  The  mo- 
ment death  takes  place,  the  frost  fixes  the  limbs  in 
whatever  situation  they  may  happen  to  be,  and 
which  cannot  be  reduced  to  decent  order  until  they 
are  thawed.  In  this  state  the  bodies  of  the  slain  are 
deposited  in  the  ''dead  house,''  hard  as  ice.  At  this 
season  of  the  year  the  earth  is  frozen  from  two  to 
five  feet  deep,  impenetrable  to  the  best  pick-axe,  in 
the  hands  of  the  stoutest  men.  Hence  yoa  may  per- 
ceive a  justification  of  the  "  dead  house."  It  is  no 
new  observation,  *<  that  climates  form  the  manners 
and  habits  of  the  people." 

On  the  next  day,  (January  4lh,)  we  were  visited 
by  Colonel  Maclean,  an  old  man,  attended  by  other 
otficers,  for  a  p<'culiar  purpose  ;  thai  is,  to  ascertain 
who  among  us  were  born  in  Europe.  We  had  many 
Irishmen  and  some  Englinb men.  The  auestion  was 
put  to  each  ;  those  who  admitted  a  British  birth  were 
told  they  must  serve  his  majesty  in  Col.  Maclean's 
regiment,  a  new  corps,  called  the  <  Emigrants.'  Our 
poor  fellows,  under  the  fearful  penalty  of  being  car- 


AGAINST  QUEBEC,    ' 


167 


idurances 
ay  a  tear. 
1  in  hum- 
vas  pene- 
ntions  to- 
rom  what 

c 

nght  Con- 
or hard- 
1  latitude, 
feelings, 
as  80  cold 
wound,  if 
wounded 
irows  the 
sumed  in 
The  mo- 
i  limbs  in 
be,   and 
mtil  they 
B  stain  Hre 
At  thid 
two  to 
k-axe,  in 
may  per- 
It  is  no 
manners 

tre  visited 
by  other 
I  ascertain 
lad  many 
Istion  was 
lirth  were 
laclean's 
Its.'  Our 
sing  car- 


ried to  Brilain,  there  to  be  tried  for  treason,  were 
compelled  by  riecessiiy,  and  many  of  them  did  en- 
list. Two  of  them,  very  brave  men,  Edward  Cave- 
nangh  and  Timothy  Conner,  deserve  to  be  named, 
because  of  a  particular  occurrence  which  happened 
shortly  after.  These  two  men,  amor)g  others,  called 
upon  me  for  my  advice  how  to  act.  Being,  at  that 
time,  neither  a  lawyer  nor  a  casuist,  they  had  my  o- 
pinion  according  to  the  dictates  of  nature,  and  some 
slight  reading.  That  is,  that  they  should  enlist ;  for 
a  constrained  oath,  (as  theirs  would  be,)  could  not  be 
binding  on  the  conscience — and  by  all  means  to  join 
our  army  as  soon  as  practicable.  They  enlisted  un- 
der the  notion  that  the  oath  was  non-obligatory,  and 
a  hope  of  a  speedy  return  to  their  friends  and  wives. 
Allow  me  here  to  recount,  by  anticipation,  the  resi- 
due of  the  adventures  of  "honest  Ned."  Towards 
the  end  of  January,  Cavenaugh  and  Conner  hap- 
pened to  compose  a  part  of  the  same  guard  at  Pal- 
ace gate,  where  the  walls  are  from  thirty  to  forty  feet 
liigh,  independently  of  the  declivity  of  the  hill. — 
Cavenaugh  was  stationed  as  a  sentry  in  conjunction 
with  one  of  the  British  party.  Conner  had  procured 
a  bottle  of  rum  ;  coming  to  the  station,  he  drank,  him- 
self, and  presented  the  bottle  to  the  British  sentry. 
While  the  latter  was  in  the  act  of  drinking,  Cave- 
naugh gave  him  a  push  with  the  butt  of  his  musket, 
which  stunned  and  brought  him  to  the  earth.  Ta- 
king his  arms,  they  sprung  over  the  wall  into  a  bed 
of  snow,  perhaps  twenty -five  feet  deep.  This  aver- 
ment concerning  the  depth  of  the  snow,  may  appear 
problematical,  as  we  know  nothing  like  it  in  our  cli- 
mate. Form  no  definite  opinion  until  you  have 
heard  the  reasons  why  it  does  happen.  As  you  may 
recollect  several  instances  in  this  narrative,  where  the 
asperity  of  a  Quebec  winter  is  intimated,  and  a  de- 

14 


m 


m 


m 


CAMPAIO^f 


l! 


8cription  of  its  effects  attempted ;  such  as  frequent  sno\V 
storms  and  jQerce  winds.  In  the  month  of  January, 
particularly,  when  the  snow  has  increased  to  a  depth 
of  yeven  feet  over  the  face  of  the  country,  notwith- 
standing the  shining  of  the  sun,  the  cold  is  so  great 
that  those  winds  drive  the  snow  daily  against  the  high 
ramparts  of  the  city,  where  it  forms  a  compact  mass 
— the  last  stratum  heing  light  and  dry  as  the  finest 
sand,  which  may  be  whirled  by  the  wind.  Cave 
naugh  and  Conner  leaped  into  such  a  soft  bed. 
Their  disadvantasre  consisted  in  sinking  too  deep  ; 
the  height  of  the  leap  plunging  them  deeper  than  or- 
dinary walking  would  do,  made  it  difficult  for  them 
to  extricate  themselvc"*.  Th«?  relief-guard  came  in 
time  to  give  them  a  vnlley,  as  they  were  scampering 
away.  Thanks  to  God,  my  worthy  Irishmen  esca- 
ped unharmed,  though  as  they  passed  through  St. 
Roque,  they  were  complimented  by  several  dischar- 
grs  of  cannister  and  grape  >hot.  This  was  the  first 
notice  we  had  of  the  escape  of  our  daring  friends. 
We  heard,  next  morning,  all  the  minutiae  from  those 
who  guarded  us. 

By  the  middle  of  January  we  were  settled  down 
into  a  state  of  something  like  household  order:  those 
who  could  economise  fared  tolerably  well,  though 
they  could  have  used  more.  Our  daily  provisions 
consisted  of  a  biscuit  made  of  a  coarse  meal,  from 
something  like  our  chopped  rye ;  very  often  chaff  or 
straw,  halt  an  inch  in  length,  was  found  in  this  spe- 
cies of  bread.  A  biscuit  of  the  size  of  a  cake  of  gin- 
gerbread, now  sold  with  us  for  a  cent,  was  the  daily 
allowance  of  this  article  :  half  a  pound  of  pork,  or 
three  quarters  of  a  pound  of  beef,  though  these  were 
much  salted,  even  so  as  to  be  uncomfortable — they 
Were  of  Irish  preparation,  perhaps  for  the  sea-service : 
a  competenl  allowailce  of  butter,  originally  fine,  yet 


II 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


169 


piit,  sno\^ 
January^ 
)  a  depth 
notwith- 
so  great 
the  liigh 
tact  mass 
the  finest 
.     Cave 
soft  bed. 
Loo  deep ; 
r  than  or- 
for  them 
came  in 
ampering 
nen  esca- 
rongh  St. 
l1  dischar- 
s  the  first 
g  friends, 
rom  those 

ed  down 
er:  those 
though 
jrovisions 
eal,  from 
chatr  or 
thisspe- 
ce  of  gin- 
ihe  daily 
pork,  or 
lese  were 
)le— they 
-service : 
fine,  yet 


now  rancid  :  candles,  molasses,  and  even  vinegar — 
this  last  article,  so  lung  as  it  could  be  afibrded  us, 
was  a  preservative  from  the  disorders  wiiich  unwit- 
tingly we  were  imbibing  daily.  Knowing  ihe  ditii- 
culties  undt'r  which  the  garrison  lay — foes  at  the 
gates,  arid  an  uncertainty  of  succor ;  the  governor 
was  thought  of  by  me,  with  similar  allowances,  that 
ought  to  be  made  toourowngeneralifi,  in  circumstan- 
ces of  such  pinching  necessity.  From  all  informa- 
tion attainable  on  our  part,  we  were  as  well  treated 
as  those  of  the  garrison,  who  lived  on  the  same  kinds 
of  food,  except  as  to  liquor,  wiiich  deprivation  was 
more  beneficial  than  injurious  to  our  men.  it  is 
grateful  to  my  heart  now  to  rementber  and  repeat 
the  benevolent  sensations  this  mild netiis  and  humani- 
ty cieated  in  my  mind,  towards  the  virtuous,  the 
amiable  and  venerable  Carlton.  He  was  a  genuine 
representative  of  the  gentility  of  the  Irish  nation, 
which  is  so  deservedly  famous  for  the  production  of 
real  heroes,  patriotic  statesmen,  and  a  generosity  and 
suavity  of  manners.  He  was  of  great  candor,  up- 
rightness and  honor,  and  full  of  the  spirit  of  philan- 
thropy, which  marks  the  real  gentleman.  He  made 
us  several  visits,  in  all  of  which  he  seemed  merely  to 
ha\e  a  solicitude  for  our  welfare,  without  any  sinis- 
ter view,  such  as  seduction  from  our  principles,  <3^c. 
That  he  granted  us  every  accommodation  his  try- 
ing situation  authorized,  there  can  be  no  doubt. — 
Shottly  after  the  time  now  spoken  of,  we  were  con- 
ducted to  the  Dauphin  jail.  Before  we  quit  the  leg- 
uliers,  admit  me  to  state  to  you  something  mor^,  re- 
lating to  our  manner  of  living  there.  My  youthful 
appetite  required  and  demanded  a  greater  quantity  of 
food  than  we  then  enjoyed.  We  wanted  spoons,  not 
only  in  our  own  mess,  but  throughout  the  whole 
corps,    There  w^s  no  money  among  us  to  purchase 


m 


■AtL 


!  m 


160 


CAMPAIGN 


such  an  implement,  and  if  tf)cre  had  been,  and  op- 
poilunity  had  offered,  it  is  likely  the  jealousy  of  gov- 
ernment would  have  deprived  us  of  them,  if  formed 
of  metal  of  any  kind. 

One  day  being  at  the  unloading  of  a  cord  of  wood, 
a  birch  slick,  the  only  piece  of  hard  wood  in  ih© 
load,  was  eagerly  laid  hold  of,  and  borne  to  the  mess 
room  ;  from  this  a  wooden  spoon  was  soon  formed  fc^ 
my  own  use.  Lobscouse  ma<le  a  part  of  our  diurnal 
food.  This  tern),  though  vulgar,  conveys  to  one, 
who,  when  hungry,  has  tasted  the  dish,  some  agrae 
able  ideas.  Among  soldiers  and  sailors  it  is  esteem- 
ed equal  to  the  "  olla  podrida"  of  ihe  Spaniards,  and 
nearly  so  to  the  "speck  and  oyer"  of  the  Germaivs  ; 
it  is  certainly  more  nourishifig  than  what  the  laUcr 
call  "  water  soup,"  and  even  "meal  soup."  We  put 
our  vile  biscuit  into  a  tin  vessel,  with  a  sufficieist 
quantity  of  water,  and  permitted  it  to  stew  on  the 
stove,  until  there  was  a  perfect  mucilage,  some  thiri 
slices  of  bacon  fat,  (the  reserve  of  the  last  meal,)  were 
then  added  ;  or  some  of  the  skimmings  of  the  boil- 
ers, but  most  usually,  the  rancid  butter,  (which  was 
thus  made  palatable:)  when  these  substances  were 
well  incorporated  with  the  biscuit  ;  a  few  spoon-fulls 
of  molasses  finished  the  dish.  This  was  theorchca 
ry  breakfast,  and  a  good  one,  when  we  could  spoun 
it  into  our  mouths.  My  spoon,  therefore,  wasaii  ai- 
tirle  in  great  demand,  and  of  prime  necesslt' ,  The 
production  of  one  spoon  creatrd  a  desire  ior  more ; 
they  were  manufactured  in  abundariceby  the  means 
of  two  knives — a  great  and  a  smaii,  but  always  dis- 
posed of  for  biscuit.  Spoons  were  made  as  large  as 
SIT. all  ladles,  some  with  a  deer  at  full  stretch,  a  hound 
pursuing — an  Indian  sitting — a  beaver — and  twenty 
other  devices  were  invented,  and  tolerably  well  carv- 
'j.     Some  came  to  five  biscuits,   some  to  ten,  and 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


161 


antl  op- 
y  of  gov- 
f  foiuied 

of  wood, 
d  in  the 
themes? 
[)rniecl  fo** 
r  diiirnai 
s  to  one, 
ne  agrae 
s  esteem - 
ardy,  and 
lerrDRi  3 ;  i 
the  latter 
We  put 
sufficieist 
w  on  the 
ome  thiri 
eal,)  were 
'  the  boil- 
hich  was 
ices  were 
30on  "fulls 
le  01(^1  ;a 
uld  spoon 
^asaii  ai- 
The 
or  more; 
he  means 
ways  dis- 
large  as 
a  hound 
d  twenty 
ell  carv- 
ten,  and 


one  in  particular  at  twenty,  whicli  my  friends  thought 
worthy  of  the  acceptance  of  the  governor,  hut  care 
was  taken  not  to  present  it.  Boyd  and  Cunningham 
carefully  furnished  the  wood.  Thus  we  could  exisit 
pretty  well  on  our  slender  diet.  But  we  had  other 
resources  which  were  by  no  means  neglected.  Hen- 
ry Cro.ie,  a  well  bred  young  man,  descended  from  a 
worth  /  and  respectable  fanuly  of  York  county,  Penn- 
gijlvajiia,  much  my  senior,  init  who  was  known  to 
m^  during  his  apprenticeship  at  liancaster,  had  dis- 
95p  ited  a  gc^d  fortune  at  the  gaming  table ;  he  was 
a  serge  Lit  oi  Hendricks'.  Miserable  as  was  ourpre- 
dicam*  ui,,  the  ^enio'j  of  play  had  intruded  itseli  a- 
mon^;;  us,  thr^n^h  there  was  neither  money  nor  clo- 
U«ing,  but  thv^i.  ijpon  our  backs,  and  our  daily  provis- 
ions, to  sport  wiib.  TUq  play  was  for  biscuit,  and 
most  usually  at  a  game  called  "  all-fours,''  in  which 
Crone  was  a  real  adept.  He  was  a  droll  dog,  and 
much  inclined  to  piay  with  and  beat  the  Yankees, 
OS  he  termed  them.  Many  mornings,  being  com- 
pelled by  the  inclefi^oncy  of  the  season,  to  leave  our 
uncooifortable  bed,  pacing  the  avenue^^  in  front  of  our 
cells  for  exercise  and  warmth,  drawing  aside  the  cur- 
tain of  the  gambling  room  dooi,  which  was  no  other 
th;in  a  threau-bare  blanket,  Crone  was  i^een  and  heard 
with  bleared  eye  and  a  vociferous  voice,  after  a  night's 
sitting,  contending  for  a  biscuit  with  as  much  spirit 
and  heat  as  most  probably  he  had  done  in  former 
times  for  fifty  or  a  hundred  dollars.  The  passion  for 
gaming  is  almost  an  inexplicable  trait  in  the  human 
character — the  poor,  the  rich,  the  savage  and  the  civ- 
ilized, are  equally  its  devotees.  The  greatest  and  t  he 
least  are  alike  subject  to  its  fascinations.  Crone,  poor 
dog,  was  one  of  the  devoted. 

Montgomery,  in  his  care  for  Arnold's  party,  besides 
an  excellent  blanket  woai,     d  assigned  to  each  man 


\ 


1G2 


CAMPAIGN 


new 


the  seventh 


some 


nng 


red  regimental  coat 

igimeiit  stationed  in  the  upper  country.    Tliis 
id    been  seized  at   Montreal.     Crone,  in 
the  general   division,   had   fared  well.     He  had  ob- 
tained a  large  superfine  broad-cloth   coat,  such  as  is 
worn   by   the  sergeant-major  of  the  British  army, 
which    "  fitted  him  like  a  shirt."     He  was  so  totally 
devoid  of  care  that  he  never  once  applied  to  the  tai- 
lors of  the  army,  who  were  employed  by  the  public, 
to  fit  the  coat  to  his  back,  and  to  sew  it  regularly. — 
What  was  still  more  laughable,  he  had  no  pockets  to 
his  coat,  unless  you  may  call  the  flannel  such,  which 
inside  lined  the  lappets,  and  bore  the  appearance 
of  large  bags  dangling  about  his  heels.     Crone  was 
fiicetious   and  clever ;  he  had  an  alfection   for  mo. 
Often  about  daylight  he  would  come  to  my  blanket 
and  waken  nie,  and  shake  the   lappets  of  his  coat. 
He  would  say,  "  Come,  Jack,  here's  something  for 
you,"  and  woidd  force  upon  me,  ten,  fifteen,  and  sev- 
eral times,  even  thirty  biscuits.     With  all   his  vices 
he  bore  a  great  share  of  my  esteem,  for  the  goodness 
of  his  heart.     When  ill-luck  occurred,  there  was  a 
refunding  on  my  part,  but  it  seldom  happened.    Our 
other  resource  was  William  M'Coy,  a  sergeant  of 
Hendricks',  an  excellent  clerk,   who  canie  into  favor 
with  the  Governor,  by  giving  toMajorMurray  of  the 
garrison,  a  genuine  copy  of  his  journal  of  the  route 
through  the  wilderness  into  Canada.     He  was  a  se- 
date and  sensible  man.     He  was  installed  ''  clerk  of 
the  kitchen,"  and  put  me  much  in  mind  of  Gil  Bias' 
clerk,     '^riie  cook,  whom  M'Coy  patronized,  was  a 
very  Boniface   in  accomplishments,   and  a  Sancho 
Panza  ia  rotundity.     He  was  of  Thayei's  or  Dear- 
boine's  company.     Believe  rrie,  that  these  two  men 
were  courted  by  our  hungry  wighttj  among  the  sol- 
diery with  as  much  eagerness  and  solicitude,  aad  of-^ 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


163 


or  some 
y.   This 
^one,  in 
had  ob- 
ich  as  is 
ih  army, 
80  totally 
)  the  lai- 
le  public, 
ularly. — 
pockets  to 
ch,  which 
ipearance 
lone  was 
1   for  mo. 
y  blanket 
his  coat, 
ithing  for 
,  and  scv- 
his  vices 
goodness 
re  was  a 
led.    Our 
geant  of 
nto  favor 
ay  of the 
he  route 
kvas  a  se- 
"  clerk  of 
Gil  Bias' 
d,  was  a 
a  Sancho 
or  Dear- 
two  men 
the  6oi- 
s,  aad  of-^ 


ten  sycophancy,  as  would  have  been  the  case  had 
they  been  the  ministers  of  a  great  state.  What  could 
you  suppose  to  be  the  ol)iect  of  such  servility  ?  To 
explain  :  the  boiling  utensils  were  two  very  large 
coppers.  A  boiling  of  pork  produced  a  great  quattti- 
ty  of  liquid  fat,  which  the  men  called  slush.  The 
ekimtnings  constituted  the  importance  of  the  cook, 
who  made  a  profit  from  it  by  selling  it  to  certain 
tradesmen  of  the  city.  A  half  pint  of  this  skis-h  was 
a  good  succedaneum  for  better  food,  to  a  nie^s  of  six 
stout  men.  If,  with  the  n»olasses,  formed  an  excel- 
lent lobscouse.  Oleaginous  matter,  next  to  bread,  is, 
however,  the  great  support  of  the  animal  functions, 
and  even  superior  to  bread,  to  sustain  lil'e  and  gratily 
(he  palate.  Here  you  see  the  real  ground  of  the  cau- 
ses of  distinctions  in  society.  The  cook,  possessing 
this  perquisite,  commanded  his  applicants  for  addi- 
tional food  with  an  unwarrantable  austerity.  As  to 
our  nicss,  it  was  strong  in  habits  of  intimacy  with 
M'(/oy,  who  was  one  of  its.  The  cook  was  far  be- 
low our  notice.  Friend  M'Coy  gave  us  every  ad- 
vantage our  melancholy  situation  afforded  him. 

Coming  to  the  Dauphin  jail,  escorted  by  the  mili- 
tary, we  f<)und  it  well  accommodated  for  our  lodg- 
ment. There  were  four  rooms  below,  and  as  many 
above  stairs,  all  capacious  and  well  supplied  with  births 
or  bulks,  in  the  conmion  method  of  barracks.  Our 
company  taking  the  right  our  precedence  in  the  pro- 
cession gave  us,  assumed  the  possession  of  a  room  in 
the  third  story,  which  was  in  truth  the  very  best. 
Morgan's  took  a  room  immediately  below  us  ;  Hen- 
dricks' one  adjoining:  but  remember  thai  at  this  time 
we  were  reduced  most  lamentably  by  killed,  wound- 
ed and  missing.  Many  were  in  the  hospital.  Out 
of  sixty-five  who  canie  on  Ahrahanrs  plains  In  No- 
vember, we  had  scarcely  more  than  thirty  left  with 


lU 


CAMPAIGN 


us  in  prison,  the  fire  of  the  enemy  and  disease  bad  so 
thinned  us.  Morgan's  gallani  men  fared  \;jrse. — 
Like  the  eastern  people,  before,  and  at  that  period, 
they  detested  ihe  inttoduclion  of  the  smali-pox  into 
their  country  by  innocuiaiion  Now  they  were  its 
victims.  Less  than  twenty-five  of  the  privates  of  that 
company  regained  their  native  homes.  They  were 
originally  as  elegant  a  body  of  men  as  ever  came  in- 
to my  view.  To  use  the  style  of  my  friend  Simp- 
son, "they  w'ere  beauiilul  boys,  who  knew  how  to 
handle  and  aim  the  rifle."  Indeed,  many  of  them, 
(adroit  young  men,  courageous  and  thorough-going,) 
became  the  subjects  of  death  by  that  virulent  disease, 
both  without  and  within  the  city.  We,  of  Penn- 
sylvania, had  no  fears  from  that  source.  This  dis- 
ease had  visited  us  in  youth,  eitiier  naturally  or  by 
innoculation.  ^J^his  obs«Tvation,  which  is  a  serious 
one,  should  convey  to  your  minds  the  immensity  of 
the  discovery  of  the  innoculation  of  the  kine  pox, 
by  doctor  Jenner.  The  dis  overy  of  the  causes  of 
lightning,  its  dreadful  effects,  the  means  of  avoiding 
its  power,  by  the  celebrated  Franklin,  our  country- 
man, is,  (as  it  concerns  the  happiness  of  man,  speak- 
ing ditlidenily,)  perhaps  inferior  to  that  of  Jenner. 
The  Jennerian  discovery  tends  to  save  the  lives  of 
millions — the  Franklinian,  of  hundreds.  But  all 
lovers  of  natural  philosophy  are  compelled  to  admit 
that  the  identity  of  theeiectiic  fluid,  obtained  artific- 
ially, with  that  of  the  clouds,  has  given  a  wider  scope 
to  human  thought  than  the  recency  of  the  Jenneri- 
an discovery,  has  as  yet,  afibrded.  There  can  be 
little  doubt  that  in  a  succession  of  years,  some  gigan- 
tic geniuiiof  the  medical  profession  will  improve  and 
extend  the  henefits  of  the  happy  disclosure. 

At  the  Dauphin  jail,  our  notions  of  escape  were 
streDgthened.    The  prison  may  be  300  yarUa  from 


St.  J 
from 
ed  fo 
for  8( 
stone 
and 
ble. 
niad( 

jail, 
distal 

becai 

us. 


se  had  so 
\;jrse. — 
It  period, 
-pox  into 

were  its 
lesof(hat 
liey  were 
came  ia- 
id  Simp- 
V  how  to 
of  them, 
h-going,) 
t  disease, 
of  Penii- 
rhis  dis- 
lly  or  by 
a  serious 
ensity  of 
:lne  pox, 
causes  of 
avoiding 
coimtry- 
n,  speak- 

Jeuner. 
i  hves  of 

But  all 
Lo  admit 
d  artific- 
der  scope 
Jenneri- 

can  be 
e  gigan- 

ove  and 


pc  were 
ds  from 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


165 


St.  John's  gate:  the  interval,  at  that  time,  was  free 
from  buildings.  From  vviiliout  the  building  appear- 
ed formidable.  The  court-yard  was  very  contracted 
for  8(»  large  a  house,  and  was  enconipassed  by  a  strong 
stone  wall,  at  least  twenty  feet  high.  IMie  windows 
and  doors  were  seemingly,  by  their  bars,  impenetra- 
ble. But  what  cannot  men  of  true  spirit  effect  when 
made  the  subjects  of  oppressioiiii  Opposite  to  the 
jail,  across  the  street  leading  to  St.  John's  gate,  at  a 
distance  of  forty  yards,  there  stood  a  house,  which 
becaiiie  the  station  of  the  guard,  who  superintended 
us.  In  the  first  of  our  imprisonment  we  were  attend- 
ed by  the  regular  troops,  or  sailors,  who  were  embod- 
ied by  government  as  soldiers  ;  but  now  the  guind, 
(as  our  force  without  had  made  a  firm  stand,)  was 
replaced  by  the  militia,  who  wereMie  njost  inert  and 
detipicable  of  mihtary  men.  The  sentries  were  sta- 
tioned on  the  outsitleof  the  jail — we  had  no  witness- 
es of  our  conduct  within,  except  the  captain  of  the 
provost,  who  did  not  pry  with  a  suspicious  eye.  lie 
was  a  generous  and  open-hearted  eni'Ujy — had  no 
guile  himself,  nor  imputed  it  to  others.  The  princi- 
pal defence  on  this  side  of  the  city,  as  it  regarded  our 
attempt  at  evasion,  lay  at  and  near  St.  John's  gate. 
The  guard  here  was  moat  usually  composed  of  tliirty 
men,  of  the  regular  troops  or  sailors.  'I'hey  would 
have  given  us  a  hustle,  but  of  a  certainty  we  should 
have  overpowered  them  by  the  loice  of  numbers,  as 
stout  and  as  able  bodied  men  as  themselves,  whose 
coinage  was  not  to  be  questioned,  though  there  was 
a  great  diflference  in  the  nature  of  our  resjwctive 
arms.  Ha\  ing  exaniined  the  jail  carefully,  its  imbe- 
cility to  restrain  us  was  apparent.  It  was  an  old 
French  building  in  the  Basiile  style.  The  walls  of 
stone,  and  more  than  three  feet  thick,  wore  impene- 
trable by  any  of  our  means.    Upon  examining  the 


166 


CAMPAIGN 


bars  of  the  windows,  which  were  originally  ill-con- 
structed, many  were  found  so  much  corroded,  as  to 
move  up  and  down  in  the  sockets.  These  could  be 
taken  out.  The  mildness  of  Governor  Carlton's 
reign  seemed  not  to  require  a  strict  inspection  into 
places  of  this  kind.  About  this  time  a  selected  coun- 
cil was  called,  of  which  your  father  had  ihe  honor  to 
be  one,  and  was  y^iefly  composed  of  the  sergeants. 
Major  Jor^eph  Aston,  then  a  sergeant-major,  had  the 
presidency.  Our  dis^coveries  were  debated — the 
means  of  escape  considered,  and  a  consultation  of  the 
men  recommended.  This  was  done,  and  there  was 
not  a  dissentient  voice.  At  the  stair  head  there  was 
a  small  room  lighted  by  a  small  window ;  the  door 
was  locked.  Peeping  through  the  key-hole,  laige  i- 
ron  hoops  were  discovered  :  the  spring  of  the  lock 
kindly  gave  way  to  our  efforts  ;  the  room  was  ran- 
sacked, and  as  neatly  closed.  The  room  furnished 
us  with  a  large  number  of  strong  iron  hoops,  two 
and  three  inches  broad,  and  a  considerable  quantity 
of  other  iron,  of  different  shapes  and  sizes,  deposited 
there  as  lumber.  From  the  first  of  these  aiticles  we 
formed  a  rough  but  weighty  species  of  sword,  with  a 
wooden  handle;  a  blow  from  which,  in  ihe  hands  of 
one  of  our  stout  men,  would  have  brought  down  one 
of  the  stoutest  of  the  enemy.  The  residue  of  the 
iron  was  applied  to  the  formation  of  spear-heads. 
These  were  affixed  to  splits  of  fir-plank,  about  ten 
feet  in  length,  which  had  formed  in  part  the  bottoms 
of  the  lower  births.  These  wcaponsi,  it  is  true,  were 
of  the  coarsest  make,  yet  in  the  hands  of  men  deter- 
mined to  sacrifice  their  lives  for  freedom,  they  would 
have  had  a  considerable  sway.  Our  long  knives, 
which  many  of  us  secreted  when  captured,  also  be- 
came spear  points.  These  weapons  were  concealed 
under  the  lower  range  of  births,  which  wer«  raised  a 


spirit, 


man. 


Ily  ill-con- 
led,  as  to 
I  could  be 

Carlton's 
clion  into 
cted  coun- 
e  honor  to 
sergeanis. 
r,  had  the 
ated — the 
lion  of  the 
there  was 
there  waa 

the  door 
e,  large  i- 
f  the  lock 

was  ran- 

furnished 
Dope,  two 
)  quantity 

deposited 
iiiicles  we 

d,  with  a 

hands  of 
down  one 
of  the 

ar- heads. 

ibout  ten 
bottoms 

rue,  were 

len  deter- 

ey  would 
knives, 
also  he- 

ioncealed 
raised  <i 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


len 


fool  from  the  floor.  The  planks  were  ncally  raigedj 
the  nails  were  extricated,  and  the  nail  head,  with  a 
part  of  its  shank,  placed  in  its  former  position.  Over 
these  lay  our  blankets  and  bundles.  It  was  a  stand- 
ing rule  to  have  two  sentries  constantly  on  the  watch, 
one  at  each  end  of  the  interior  of  the  jail.  Their 
duty  consisted  in  giving  a  signal  of  the  approach  of 
the  officers  of  the  garrison,  who  were  in  the  habit  of 
visiting  us  daily  :  as  there  were  shoe  makers  and  tai- 
lors among  us,  who  worked  cheaper  than  those  of 
the  city,  merely  for  the  purpose  of  bettering  their  con- 
dition, there  was  policy  in  this  watchfulness. — 
When  the  signal  was  given,  the  inner  doors  were 
thrown  open  ;  tho^e  appointed  for  the  purpose,  laid 
upon  the  birtii  which  hid  our  arms,  as  if  in  a  drow- 
sy state.  The  officers  were  accosted  with  assumed 
confidence,  and  much  complaisance.  The  council 
met  daily,  sometimes  in  small  squads,  and  when  any 
thing  of  much  consequence  was  to  be  considered,  in 
larger ;  but  at  all  times  secretly,  or  at  least  not  obvi- 
ously as  a  council,  from  fear  of  traitors,  or  some  in- 
discretion of  the  young  men.  Our  arrangements,  as 
far  as  my  judgment  could  discern,  were  judicious. 
Aston  was  to  act  as  general ;  M'Coy  and  some  oth- 
ers became  colonels.  Boyd  and  others  of  the  most 
spirit,  became  majors,  captains,  lieutenants,  &c.  That 
which  cheered  me  much,  was  that  the  council  assign- 
ed me  a  first  lieutenancy  under  my  friend  Boyd, 
whose  vigor  and  courage  were  unquestionable. 

The  plan  of  the  escape  was  thus  :  Ashton,  who 
was  an  excellent  engineer,  was  to  have  the  particu- 
lar superintendence  of  Lamb's  company,  which,  to  a 
man,  was  well-informed  in  its  duty,  active  and  spir- 
ited. These  were  to  be  increased  to  a  band  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  whose  duty  it  was  to  attack 
the  guard  at  St.  John^s  gate.    The  attack  of  the 


'Mi 

% 

Mi 


CAMPAIGN 


fiuard  opposite  the  jail,  was  assigned  totlie  disgretion 
ol  Boyd,  Cutiningiiain  and  myself;  the  council  gen- 
erously givirifi!;  us  the  authority  of  a  first  selection  of 
tvveniy-two  persons,  from  the  whole  body  of  our  men. 
The  residue  of  our  force  was  so  disposed  of  as  to  act 
as  a  body  of  reserve  to  Aston,  under  the  command  of 
M'Coy,  and  another  smaller  body  was  reserved  to  sup- 
port Boyd,  particularly  by  way  of  setting  fire  to  tlie 
jail,  the  guard-house,  and  the  buildings  in  its  neigh- 
borhood, to  amuse  or  employ  the  enemy  while  we 
were  tunning  to  St.  John's  gate.  It  was  expected 
we  could  arrive  there  by  the  time  Aston  and  his  par- 
ty would  be  victorious.  Our  particular  duty  was  of 
the  desperate  kind,  something  of  the  nature  of  the 
"  forlorn  hope."  Nothing  but  the  virtue  and  bravery 
of  our  comrades  could  ensure  the  safety  of  our  lives  ; 
for  if  they  should  arrive  at  St.  John's  gate  and  dis- 
comfit the  guard,  and  then  seek  safety  by  flight,  they 
would  leave  us  to  the  mercy  of  an  enraged  enemy, 
who  would  sacrifice  us  to  their  fury.  But  there  has 
been  too  much  precipitation  in  the  relation.  Previ- 
ous to  the  last  observations,  besides  being  told  of  our 
force,  our  weapons,  and  our  military  plans,  you  should 
have  been  informed  also  of  the  real  site  of  the  jail — 
of  its  internal  structute,  from  wl'.ich  the  sally  was  to 
be  made.  The  Dauphin  jail  is  built  on  a  plain  pret- 
ty much  inclined  to  the  street.  It  follows  that  the 
front  of  the  lower  story,  (that  is,  the  cellars,)  was  on 
a  level  with  the  street.  The  back  ground  was  ten 
or  twelve  feet  higher.  In  the  cellar,  near  the  foot  of 
the  stairway,  there  was  a  plenteous  fountain  of  wa- 
ter, which  supplied  the  house.  The  conduits  lead- 
ing from  the  spring,  by  the  severity  of  the  weather, 
were  im|)eded  by  the  Ice,  so  that  the  water,  in  great 
quantity,  remained  in  the  cellar,  which,  with  the  ad- 
ditional carelessness  of  our  people,  who  cast  the  rin- 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


169 


lispretion 
iicil  geii- 
ection  of 
our  men. 
as  to  act 
imatulof 
3d  to  sup- 
re  to  tiie 
:s  neigh- 
vhile  we 
expected 
\  his  par- 
ly was  of 
e  of  the 
I  bravery 
»ur  lives ; 
and  dis> 
ght,  they 
ri  enemy, 
there  has 
.     Previ- 
Id  of  onr 
ou  should 
he  jail — 
ly  was  to 
lain  pret- 
that  the 
)  was  on 
was  ten 
rie  foot  of 
n  of  wa- 
jits  lead- 
weather, 
in  great 
h  the  ad- 
it the  rin- 


sing of  their  buckets  on  the  floor  of  the  apartment, 
formed  a  bed  of  ice  a  foot  thick,  and  very  firm  and 
solid.     This  cellar  had  a  door  newly  made,  of  strong 
pine  plank,  five  feet  in  width,  which  opened  inwards 
— the  sill  was  level  with  the  street.     The  door  was 
hung  upon  H  hinges  of  a  large  size,  fixed  on  the  in- 
side, exposed  to  our  view  and  operations.     But  what 
was  still  more  absurd,   the  door  was  hasped  within, 
and  secured  by  a  large  pad  lock.    Close  insppction 
and  thoughtful ness  had  made  the  members  of  the 
council,  by  the  means  that  they  enjoyed,  perlecJ  mas- 
ters of  those  hinges  and   the  lock  ;  they    would  not 
have  stood  a  second  of  time.     The  principal  obsftacle 
was  the  ice,  which  was  raised  fully  a  foot  against  the 
door.     Even  this  would  have  given  way  to  onr  inge- 
nuity.    The  whole  of  our  plan  was  well  laid,   and 
thoroughly  digested.     That  door  was  to  be  our  sally 
port.     Boyd  preceding  with  our  divit^ion — Aston  and 
M'Coy  following,  they  turning  rapidly  to  the  left  for 
St.  John's  gare.     The  dislocation  of  the  iron  bars  of 
the  window,  was  to  ensue:  all  those  which  could  be 
removed  being  known,  were  to  become  issues  for  our 
bravest  men.     Every  man  knew   his  station.     It  is 
an  old  and  a  trite  observation,  that  it  is  a  difficult 
thing  to  describe  a  battle  so  as  to  give  a  clear  idea  of 
all  the  causes  and  effects  of  each  movement,  with- 
out overloading  and  confusing  the  picture.  The  same 
may  be  said  of  a  conspiracy  such  as  ours.     Going 
through  the  entry  from  the  front  door  into  the  jail- 
yard,  near  the  back  door,   hut  still  within  the  prison, 
there  are  two  cavities  opposite  to  each  oiher,  strongly 
walled  and  arched.     We  called  them  the  black  holes. 
On  the  outside  of  the  building,  in  the  yard,  those  cav- 
ities assumed  the  forms  of  banks,  ten  or  eleven  feet 
high,  and  as  wide ;  a^  d  well  sodded.     With  some 
address  and  agility  a  sprightly  man  coidd  surpass  ei- 

15 


■f 


170 


CAMPAIGN 


\\H' 


thcr  of  them.  The  wall  above  these  banks  was 
probably  ten  feet  higher.  In  the  daytime  we  often 
climbed  up  (he  wall,  by  meann  of  its  interstt ices,  from 
which  the  mortar  had  fallen  in  the  course  of  time, 
to  take  a  peep  at  the  city,  merely  putting  our  eyes 
above  the  level  of  the  top  of  it. 

A  Mr.  Martin,  a  hardy,  daring  and  active  young 
man  of  Lamb's  company,  I  think  a  sergeant,  propo> 
sed  to  bear  intelligence  of  our  projects  to  the  Ameri- 
can commander,  without  the  walls.  His  plan  was 
approved.  A  lime  for  irruption  was  named,  though 
the  day  was  not  particularized  The  signals  to  in- 
vite the  advance  of  our  army  to  St.  John*s  gate,  were 
(he  burning  of  the  hou!3es,and  the  firing  of  the  guns 
of  the  ramparts  towards  the  city  As  yet,  we  were 
unprepared  to  move.  This  expedition  of  Martin's 
was  a  profound  secret  among  the  council,  from  a  fear 
that  some  bungler  might  attempt  the  same  path,  fail, 
and  by  his  being  taken,  unveil  our  plots.  Permit  me 
a  short  episode  on  the  escape  of  Martin.  It  was  sin- 
gularly adventurous,  and  the  neatness  of  its  execu- 
tion renders  it  worthy  of  remark.  I  had  the  pleasure 
of  hearing  it  recounted,  in  more  happy  times,  at  New 
York.  Martin  was  dressed  in  warm  clothing,  with 
good  gloves ;  a  white  cap,  shirt  and  over-alls  were 
prepared  for  him.  He  appeared  in  the  jail-yard  a- 
mong  the  prisoners,  in  hii^  daily  dress.  The  time  of 
locking  up  and  calling  the  roll  generally  happened 
about  sun-down.  It  was  the  business  of  the  captain 
of  the  provost,  who  was  accompanied  by  a  file  of  men. 
The  prisoners,  instigated  by  those  in  the  secret,  em- 
ployed themselues  out  of  doors  until  late  in  the  eve- 
ning, in  play,  as  if  to  keep  their  bodies  warm.  It 
was  a  blowing  and  dreary  evening,  which  was  pur- 
posely chosen.  At  locking  up,  those  in  the  secret 
lagged  behind,  tardily,  pushing  the  uninfortned  be- 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


171 


iks  weis 
we  often 
;es,from 
of  time, 
)ur  eyes 

B  young 
t,  propo- 
j  Ameri- 
lan  was 
though 
lis  to  in- 
ite,  were 
he  guns 
ve  were 
Martin's 
hh  a  fear 
ath,  fait, 
ermitme 
was  sin- 
3  execu- 
pleasure 
,  at  New 
ngf  with 
lis  were 
-yard  a- 
i  time  of 
lappened 
i  captain 
e  of  (lien. 
;ret,  em- 
the  eve- 
arm.  It 
vas  pur- 
he  secret 
oied  be- 


fore,  yet  so  slowly,  as  effectually  to  crowd  the  gang- 
way ;  Martin  remaining  in  the  rear.  The  operation 
took  place  at  the  clanging  of  the  lock  of  the  great 
front  door.  This  measure  was  imagined  and  effect- 
ed on  purpose  to  procure  to  Martin  a  sufficiency  of 
leisure  to  get  to  his  hiding  place,  which  was  no  oth- 
er than  a  nook  formed  by  the  projection  of  the  door 
way,  and  on  the  top  of  one  of  the  banks  before  spo- 
ken of.  Here  he  had  time  to  put  on  his  cap,  shirt, 
<S&c.  The  officer  who  examined  the  yard  could  not 
perceive  him  unless  he  went  out  of  the  door,  several 
paces  to  the  left,  and  most  probably  not  even  then, 
for  Martin  would  be  covered  in  the  snow,  and  imper- 
ceptible. Happily  the  officer  went  no  fuither  than 
the  threshold,  and  made  but  a  slight  survey  of  the 
yard.  This  account,  so  far,  is  derived  from  my  own 
knowledge ;  what  follows,  is  from  Martin  him^lf. 
*'  Martin  tarried  there  until  seven  or  eight  o'clock. 
The  dilemma  he  was  in  could  only  be  surpassed  in 
imminence  of  danger,  by  his  extreme  activity,  skill 
and  courage.  There  were  four  sentries  stationed  a- 
round  the  jail — two  at  each  corner  in  front,  and  the 
like  numbier  at  the  corners  of  the  yard  in  the  rear. 
Those  sentries,  though  relieved  every  quarter  of  an 
hour,  were  soon  driven  into  the  sentry  boxes  by  the 
cold  and  keenness  of  the  whistling  winds.  If  they 
had  paced  the  spaces  allotted  them  by  duty,  the  e- 
scape  of  Martin  must  have  been  impossible.  Watch- 
ing the  true  time  he  slipped  down  the  wall  into  the 
deep  snow  underneath  unobserved.  Hence  he  made 
a  sudden  excursion  to  the  left  of  St.  John's  gate,  at 
a  part  of  the  wall  where  he  knew  no  sentry  was  pla- 
ced. Leaping  the  wall  into  the  snow,  he  received 
the  fire  of  a  distant  sentry.  Martin  was  unharmed. 
The  soldier  fired,  as  it  were,  at  a  phantom  ;  for 
when  Martin's  body  came  into  contact  with  the  snow 


ml 


172 


CAMPAIGN     *' 


it  was  indiscernible  ;  the  desired  information  was  giv- 
en :"  but  of  this  we  could  merely  make  surmises  un- 
til the  May  following.  That  which  is  very  remark- 
able is  that  (he  absence  of  Martin  was  unknown  to 
government  until  the  explosion  of  our  plot. 

Our  next  solicitude  was  the  acquisition  of  powder. 
This  aiticle  could  be  obtained  but  bv  sheer  address 
and  shrewd  management.  But  we  had  to  do  with 
men  who  were  not  of  the  military  cast.  We  began 
fiist  to  enter  into  familiarity  with  the  sentries,  joking 
with  them  and  pretending  to  learn  French  from  them. 
The  guard,  usually  of  Canadians,  consisted  of  many 
old  men  and  young  boys,  who  were  very  ^  coming.^ 
A  few  small  gun-carriages  were  constructed,  not  more 
than  six  inches  in  length,  and  mounted  with  cannon 
or  howitzers,  which  were  made  of  many  folds  of  pa- 
per, and  were  bound  tightly  around  with  thread. — 
These  were  shown  to  the  sentries  from  time  to  time, 
and  a  little  powder  was  requested,  with  which  to 
charge  them.  Our  births  formed  an  angle  of  the 
room.  The  upper  births,  as  well  as  the  lower,  had  a 
ledge  of  several  inches  in  height^  in  which  embra- 
sures were  formed  with  the  knife.  Two  paities  were 
raised  in  opposition  to  each  other,  each  of  which  took 
possession  of  one  side  of  the  angle.  The  blaze  and 
report,  which  was  nearly  as  great  and  as  loud  as  that 
of  small  pistols,  created  much  laughter  and  merri- 
ment. This  sport,  the  child  of  a  seeming  folly,  ser- 
ved us  as  a  pretence  and  justification  for  soliciting 
powder.  The  apparent  joy  prevailing  among  us, 
pleased  the  Canadians,  both  old  and  young,  and  did 
not  alarm  the  government.  We  obtained  many  car- 
tridges in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks,  two-thirds  of 
which  came  to  the  hands  of  Aston  and  his  corps,  for 
the  purpose  of  manufacturing  matches,  <fcc.  ice— 
Fire  arms  of  any  kind  could  not  by  any  finesse  be 


our 


AUAINST  QUEBEC. 


179 


was  giv- 

nises  un- 

remark- 

nown  to 

'  powder. 
r  address 
do  with 
e  began 
IS,  joking 
)m  them, 
of  many 
coming* 
not  more 
\\  cannon 
Ids  of  pa- 
.hread. — 
B  to  time, 
which  to 
e  of  the 
'er,  had  a 
h  embra- 
ties  were 
lich  took 
aze  and 
id  as  I  hat 
d  merri- 
blly,  ser- 
soliciling 
long  us, 
and  did 
any  car- 
i birds  of 
corps,  for 
5.  ice— 
nesse  be 


procured.  The  commerce  of  cartridges,  accompa- 
nied by  a  suavity  and  deference  of  manners  towards 
our  young  friends,  procured  us  many  quarters  of 
pounds  of  powder,  which  ihey  bought  secreily  out  of 
funds,  some  of  which  were  procured  in  a  ludicrous 
way.  We  had  many  sick  in  the  hospital ;  for  when 
any  one  appeared  to  be  disordered  in  the  least  de- 
gree, he  was  hurried  to  the  infirmary  ;  when  cured, 
he  was  returned  to  us.  Some  of  the  men  went  so 
far  as  to  feign  sickness,  to  get  to  that  place,  where 
they  lived  in  a  more  sumptuous  style  than  that  of 
the  jail.  The  frequent  removals  caused  the  propa- 
gation of  a  report  that  the  prison  was  unhealthy. — 
Many  pious  matrons  came  to  see  us,  and  never  emp- 
ty handed.  Some  elderly  nuns,  of  respectable  fam- 
ilies, were  of  the  number,  and  generally  brought  mon- 
ey— truly  not  in  great  quantity,  but  not  the  less  ac- 
ceptable to  the  sick  and  convalescent,  as  these  alms 
procured  them  some  slight  comforts,  such  as  tea,  &,c. 
These  were  the  religious  and  humane  collections  of 
the  sisteihood,  and  mostly  consisted  of  the  smallest 
change.  There  was  a  beautiful  countenanced  youth, 
Thomas  Gibson,  first  sergeant  of  Hendricks,  who 
had  studied  physic  at  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  allied 
to  me  by  atiinity,  who  had,  (probably  from  a  knowl- 
edge he  had  of  his  profession,)  sustained  his  health 
hitherto ;  bis  cheeks  were  blooming  as  roses.  He 
was  one  of  the  council.  As  young  men,  we  cared  lit- 
tle about  the  means,  so  that  we  obtained  the  end — 
which  was  powder.  We  lived  above  stairs,  and  nev- 
er shared  in  the  gratuilie;)  of  the  ladies,  which  were 
rapaciously  awaited  at  the  entrance  of  the  prison. 
Gibson  and  myself  were  standing  at  a  window  near 
the  great  door,  and  opposite  to  M'Coy's  room,  a  neat 
little  box,  whicli  had  been  constructed  for  his  use. 
Looking  into  the  street,  a  lady  with  a  thick  veil  wa9 

16» 


.1 


'f 


If 

I 


1; 


m 


-? 'J  CAMPAIGN   ^A 


t  i 


observed  to  take  the  path  through  the  snow  to  our 
habitation.  *'  Zounds  !  Gibson,  there's  a  nun,"  was 
scarcely  expressed,  before  he  was  hurried  into  M'Coy's 
apartment  and  put  to  bed,  though  dressed.  Several 
of  us  waited  respectfully  at  the  door,  till  the  officer  of 
the  guard  unlocked  it.  The  nun  entered— s^be  ap- 
peared, from  her  manners,  to  be  genteel  and  respec- 
table. We  were  most  sedulous  in  our  attentions  to 
the  lady,  and  so  prevailed,  as  to  induce  her  to  come 
into  M'Coy's  room.  Here  lay  Gibson,  covered  to  the 
chin  with  the  bed  clothes,  nothing  exposed  but  his 
beautiful  hair  and  red  cheeks,  the  latter  indicating  a 
hia[h  fever.  It  was  well  the  lady  was  no  physician. 
The  nun,  crossing  herself,  and  whispering  a  pater- 
noster, poured  the  contents  of  her  little  purse  into  the 
hand  of  the  patient,  which  he  held  gently  without 
the  blanketing,  and  left  us.  What  should  the  dona- 
tion be  hut  twenty-four  coppers,  equal  at  that  time  to 
two  shillings  of  our  money.  The  latter  circumstance 
added  much  to  the  humor  and  extreme  merriment 
of  the  transaction.  This  money  was  solely  appro- 
priated for  powder.  Thus,  careless  of  every  thing 
but  the  means  of  escaping,  we  enjoyed  many  merry, 
and  even  happy  hours. 

Aston,  who  was  provident  of  time,  by  the  middle 
of  March.  (I  have  no  note  of  the  precise  period,)  had* 
all  his  matters  of  arrangement  in  good  order.  The 
council  assigned  a  day  for  the  irruption.  As  we  dar- 
ed not  touch  the  door  in  the  cellar,  from  a  fear  of  dis- 
covery by  inspection,  (and  it  was  examined  almost 
daily,)  it  was  determined  to  postpone  the  unloosing 
the  hinges  and  lock,  which  were  under  our  com- 
mand, until  the  moment  of  escape.  It  became  a  main 
question,  how  to  remove  the  ice  at  the  foot  of  the 
door.  Here  lay  the  great  difficulty,  as  it  was  univer- 
sally agreed  that  the  door  must  be  dragged  down 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


ITS 


w  to  our 
un,"  was 
>  M'Ooy's 

Several 
!  officer  of 
-islie  ap- 
id  respec- 
ntions  to 
r  to  come 
red  to  the 
1  but  his 
icating  a 
)hysician. 

a  pater- 
e  into  the 
r  without 
the  dona- 
at  time  to 
lumstance 
tierriment 
ly  appro- 
Bry  thing 
ly  merry, 

le  middle 
riod,)  had' 
er.  The 
s  we  dar- 
earofdis- 
d  almost 
unloosing 
our  com- 
)e  a  main 
Dt  of  the 
18  uni ver- 
ged dowa 


suddenly,  so  that  we  might  march  over  it.  Remem- 
ber also,  that  a  sentry  was  posted  not  more  than  from 
fifteen  to  twenty  feet  from  ihe  outside  of  the  door. 
Many  propositions  were  made  in  council,  how  to  ef- 
fect the  removal  of  the  body  of  ice  without  exposure 
to  detection.  One  was  lightly  to  pick  it  away  with 
hatchets,  a  few  of  which  had  been  secretly  retained 
by  the  prisoners,  and  brought  into  the  jail.  To  this 
there  were  several  insuperable  objections  :  the  softest 
stroke  of  the  lightest  tomahawk  upon  the  ice,  would 
be  heard  by  a  sentry  so  near  ;  or  an  unlucky  stroke 
might  touch  the  door,  which  would  resound  and  in- 
evitably cause  a  discovery.  Others  proposed  to  wear 
away  the  ice  by  boiling  water ;  two  most  obvious  ob- 
jections lay  here  :  the  steam  would  search  for  a  vent 
through  the  crevices  of  the  door  and  window,  and 
develop  our  measures;  besides,  the  extreme  cold  would 
have  congealed  the  hot  water  the  moment  it  fell,  so 
as  to  add  to  our  difficulties.  Another  idea  was  sug- 
gested :  it  was  to  cut  the  door  across  on  the  surface 
of  the  ice  with  knives  ;  to  this  plan  there  was  a  fatal 
exception^ — the  ice  had  risen  on  the  lower  cross-piece 
of  the  door  nearly  an  inch,  so  that  we  must  cut  thro' 
the  cross-piece  lengthwise,  and  through  the  thick 
plank  crosswise.  Though  this  labor  might  have 
been  accomplished  by  industry  and  perseverance,  yet 
the  lime  it  would  necessarily  take  would  cause  a  dis- 
covery by  the  searchers.  The  last  and  only  method 
to  avoid  discovery  was  adopted.  This  was  to  em- 
boily  sixteen  or  eighteen  of  the  most  prudent  men, 
who  knew  the  value  of  silence,  who  should,  two  and 
two,  relieve  each  other,  and  with  our  long  knives 
gently  pare  a-vay  the  ice  next  the  sill  of  the  door,  so 
as  to  make  a  groove  of  four  or  six  inches  wide,  par- 
alell  with,  and  deep  as  the  sill.  Tlic  persons  were 
named  and  appointed  to  this  service.    Now  the  ca- 


1ll 


m 


''■ 'til ' 


176 


CAMPAIGN 


pability  of  the  execution  of  our  plot,  infused  comfort 
and  joy  into  all  hearts.  It  was  intended  immediate- 
ly after  locking  up,  on  the  night  of  the  irruption, 
that  those  prudent  men  should  descend  into  i  he  vault 
by  pairs,  and  by  incessant  labor  have  the  work  fin- 
ished by  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  the  sal- 
ly should  be  made.  We  had  carefully  noticed  from 
the  walls  of  the  jail  and  the  ridge  ot  the  house,  where 
there  is  a  trap-door,  the  placing  of  the  guards,  the 
numiiers  and  stationing  of  the  sentries.  We  were 
safe,  therefore,  in  the  measures  we  had  taken  for  the 
attack  of  the  guard  of  St.  John's  gate.  Our  own 
guard  was  perfectly  scrutinized.  The  opportunities 
were  of  the  most  commodious  kind.  The  guard- 
house was  directly  in  our  front,  where  we' could  see 
and  be  seen.  Their  windows  had  no  shutters.  They 
had  lights  all  the  night  through:  we,  the  better  to  ob- 
serve them,  kept  none.  This  latter  circumstance  en- 
abled us  distinctly  to  see  that  the  arms  with  fixed 
bayonets  were  placed  in  the  right  hand  corner  of  the 
room,  as  we  would  enter  from  the  stairhead,  and  that 
the  guard  towards  morning,  to  a  man,  were  lying  a- 
sleep  on  the  floor.  The  sentries,  as  they  were  re- 
lieved, did  the  like.  This  guard,  as  was  before  said, 
in  ordmary,  consisted  of  thirty  persons.  Bujcd's  par- 
ty, from  a  perfect  knowledge  of  their  method  of  con- 
ducting, esteemed  it  no  great  hardship  to  undertake 
the  overwhelming  them.  The  nights  weie  piercing- 
ly cold — the  sentries  soon  housed  themselves  in  their 
boxes.  As  the  sally,  to  uucceed,  vnua  be  most  silent 
and  quick,  it  was  hoped  to  quiet  all  of  them  before 
any  alarm  could  spread.  Besides  Qpyd'^  division, 
(the  first  rank  of  wnich  was  to  despatch  the  nearest 
sentry  by  the  spear,)  others  of  the  succeeding  <:orp8 
were  assigned  to  assail  the  rest  of  the  sentries  imme- 
diately around  the  prison.    The  getting  up  tlie  Btair9 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


IT7 


1  comfort 

iniediate- 

irniplion. 

I  he  vault 

i^ork  fin- 

1  the  saU 

ced  from 

36,  where 

ardd,  the 

We  were 

n  for  the 

Dur  own 

Drill  nities 

e  guard- 

;ould  see 

s.   They 

Iter  to  ob- 

lanceen- 

th  fixed 

er  of  the 

and  that 

lying  a- 

were  re- 

"oie  said, 

jid's  par- 

of  con- 

idertake 

)iercing- 

in  their 

wt  silent 

before 

division, 

nearest 

g  oorps 

imme- 

he  Btairs 


of  our  guard-house,  so  quickly  as  to  create  no  alarm, 
was  not  only  feasible,  but  in  my  mind,  (with  the  force 
delegated  to  us,)  of  absolute  certainty  of  success. — 
The  front  door  being  open  by  night  and  day,  we 
knew  the  precise  number  of  steps  the  stairs  contain- 
ed. An  agile  man  would  mount  at  three  strides. 
A  light  was  continually  in  the  passage.  Entering 
the  room,  and  turnmg  to  the  right,  the  arms  in  the 
corner  were  ours.  The  bayonet,  from  necessity, 
would  become  the  lot  of  the  guard.  In  this  part  of 
the  enterprise,  profound  silence  was  all-important ; 
the  section  was  to  rely  on  the  spear  and  tomahawk. 
Aston,  on  the  other  hand,  being  victorious  at  St. 
John's  gate,  was  instantly  to  turn  the  cannon  upon 
the  city  :  his  fuses,  portfire,  6cc.  were  prepared  atid 
ready  as  substitutes  for  those  of  the  enensy,  if  they 
were  extinguished  or  taken  from  the  guns.  It  was 
kno<vn  to  us  that  all  the  cannon  of  the  ramparts 
were  charged  and  primed,  and  boxes  of  ammuintion 
and  piles  of  balls  in  the  vicinity  of  each  gun  ;  it  was 
calculated  that  the  execution  of  the  buisiness  of  our 
section  might  be  effected  in  at  least  fifteen  minutes, 
together  with  the  firing  of  the  houses.  Then  run- 
ning to  support  Aston,  and  if  he  was  victorious,  to 
maintain  our  position  on  the  walU,  under  a  hope  of 
the  arrival  of  the  American  army  from  without.  In 
that  event  Si.  John's  gate,  as  a  first  measure,  was  to 
be  opened.  But  if  AhIoii  should  unfortunately  be 
beaten,  (which  was  most  improbable.)  then  we  were 
to  fiy  in  all  directions,  and  make  the  adventurous 
leap.  It  was  supposed  that  in  the  latter  case,  the 
hurry  and  bustle  created  by  so  sudden,  unforeseen 
and  daring  an  attack,  would  throw  the  garrison  into 
consternation  and  disordei  to  so  great  a  degree,  as  to 
admit  the  ei^rape  of  many.  Sluggards  might  expect 
to  be  massacred. 


■m 


u 


I 


178 


CAMPAIGN 


.  The  particularity  of  the  foregoing  details  are  pur- 
posely made,  to  impress  on  your  minds  a  single  truth  : 
"  That  the  best  imagined  schemes  and  thoroughly 
"  digested  designs,  whether  in  military  or  civil  life, 
"  may  be  defeated  by  a  thoughtless  boy,  the  interfe- 
"  rence  of  an  idiot,  or  a  treacherous  knave."  'I'wo 
lads  from  Connecticut  or  Massachusetts,  whose  names 
are  now  lost  to  my  memory,  prisoners  with  us,  but 
who  had  no  manner  of  connection  or  intercourse  with 
the  chiefs,  nor  knew  the  minute,  yet  essential  parts 
of  the  measures  of  the  council ;  but  probably  having 
overheard  a  whisper  of  the  time  and  manner  of  the 
evasion,  without  consultation,  or  without  authority 
from  their  superiors,  in  the  thoughtless  ardor  of  their 
minds,  on  the  eve  of  the  sally  descended  into  the  cel- 
lar, and  with  hatchets,  picked  at  the  ice  at  the  door- 
sill.  The  operation  was  heard.  The  sentry  '.!ireat- 
ened  to  fire.  The  guard  was  instantly  alarmed  and 
immediately  doubled,  and  all  our  long-labur<^.d  schemes 
and  well-digested  plans  annihilated  in  a  moment. — 
You  cannot  form  an  adequate  idea  of  the  pangs  we 
endured.  My  heart  was  nearly  broken  by  the  ex- 
cess of  surprise  and  burn'"^  anger,  to  be  thus  faiu- 
itously  deprived  of  the  gladdening  hope  of  a  speedy 
return  to  our  friends  and  country.  It  became  us, 
however,  to  put  the  best  face  upon  it.  It  was  sud- 
denly resolved  by  the  chiefs  to  kill  the  person  who 
should  disclose  the  general  plot,  and  to  wait  upon  the 
officers  on  the  ensuing  morning,  with  our  usual  at- 
tentions. When  morning  came,  it  found  us  afoot. 
About  sunrise,  the  formidable  inquisition  look  place. 
Major  Murray,  Captain  Prentiss,  the  officer  of  the 
^uard,  and  a  dozen  musketeers  came-^-we  awaited 
their  approach  undismayed.  They  accosted  us  very 
coolly.  The  cellar  was  visited,  and  the  work  of  these 
fools  was  apparent.    Kc-ascending.  we  could  assure 


the  g( 

the  ki 

said  ii 

assert! 

name$ 

guard 

more 

cape. 

Engjif 

deserte 

self  cl( 

more  t 

Those 

last-ni^ 

had  foi 

serving 

Major 

ing  in 

sprung 

6f»ring 

pocted, 

geance. 

says  he 

en  com  p 

Govern< 

the  ext< 

prisoner 

were  to( 

the  rest. 

ded  Boy 

vile  info 

were  esc 

found  ih 

ings  mil 

Our  wor 

as  men  ( 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


^ 


I  are  pur- 
gle  truth : 
loroughly 
civil  life, 
le  interfe- 
Two 


)) 


e. 

ose  names 
h  U8,  but 
ourse  wiili 
ntial  parts 
jly  having 
ner  of  the 
authority 
lor  (if  their 
nto  the  cel- 
l  the  door- 
itry  '.lireat- 
ar.ned  and 
|r,d  schemes 
uomcnt. — 
pangs  we 
>y  the  ex- 
thus  faiu- 
a  speedy 
•ecame  us, 
was  sud- 
T8on  who 
it  upon  the 
usual  at- 
us  afoot, 
took  place. 
leer  of  tlie 
e  awaited 
ed  us  very 
rk  of  these 
uld  assure 


the  gentlemen  that  this  effort  to  escape  was  without 
the  knowledge  of  any  of  us.  This,  to  be  sure,  was 
said  in  the  Jesuitical  style,  but  those  who  made  the 
assertion  did  not  then  know  either  the  persons  or  the 
names  of  the  silly  adventurers.  The  officers  and  the 
guard  were  departing,  fully  persuaded  that  it  was  no 
more  than  the  alien ipt  of  one  or  two  persons  to  es- 
cape. Major  Murray  was  the  last  to  rocede.  An 
Englishman,  (of  whom  we  knew  riot  that  he  was  a 
deserter  from  otu'  enemies  at  Boston,)  had  posted  him- 
self close  to  the  right  jamb  of  the  door,  winch  w^as 
more  than  half  opened  for  the  passage  of  the  major. 
Those  of  us  who  were  determined  to  execute  our 
last-night's  resolution,  armed  with  our  long  knives, 
had  formed  a  half-circle  around  the  door,  without  ob- 
serving the  intrusion  and  presence  of  the  deserter. 
Major  Murray  v/as  standing  on  the  threshold,  speak- 
ing in  a  kindly  manner  to  us,  when  the  villian 
sprung  past  the  major,  even  jostling  him.  The 
spring  he  made  was  so  sudden  and  so  entirely  unsus- 
pected, that  he  screened  himself  from  our  just  ven- 
geance. Touching  major  Murray's  shoulder,  "Sir," 
says  he,  "  I  have  something  to  disclose."  The  guards 
encompassed  the  traitor,  and  hurried  him  away  to  the 
Governor's  palace.  We  instantaneously  perceived 
the  extent  and  consequence  of  this  disaster.  The 
prisoners  inmiediately  destroyed  such  of  the  arms  as 
were  too  bulky  to  hide,  if  destructible,  and  secreted 
the  rest.  In  an  hour  an  officer  and  file  of  men  deman- 
ded Boyd,  Cunningham  pnd  others,  represented  by  the 
vile  informer  as  prominent  actors  in  the  plot.  They 
were  escorted  to  the  Governor's  council.  Here  they 
found  that  the  wretch  had  evidenced  all  our  proceed- 
ings minutely,  naming  every  one  who  wasprominent. 
Our  worthy  compatriots  were  examined  on  oath,  and 
as  inea  of  honor  couM  not  conceal  the  tiuth.    The 


t, 


r, 
€ 


186 


CAMPAIGN 


*;!i, 


W 


■I' 
I.' 


4^1 


questions  of  the  council,  (furnislied  by  the  informer.) 
did  not  admit  of  equivocation  or  evasion,  if  the  ex- 
aminants  had  been  so  inclined  ;  and  besides,  all  ter- 
giversation, when  the  outline  was  marked,  was  nuga- 
tory. They  boldly  ad  untied  and  justified  the  at- 
tempt. We  did  not  fare  the  worse  in  our  provisions 
nor  in  the  estimation  of  our  enemy.  Returning  to 
the  jail,  my  dear  Boyd  shed  the  tears  of  excruciating 
anguish  in  my  bosom,  deploring  our  adverse  fate. 
We  had  vowed  to  each  other  to  be  free  or  die,  and  to 
be  thus  foolishly  baulked,  caused  the  most  heart- 
rending grief. 

J  Towards  2  o'clock,  P.  M.  we  saw  several  heavy 
cart-loads,  consisting  of  long  and  weighty  irons,  such 
as  bilboes,  foot-hobbles,  and  hand -cuffs,  arrive.  The 
prisoners  were  ordered  lo  their  rooms.  The  ironing 
began  below  slaifs  with  Morgan's  company.  Here 
the  bilboes  were  expended.  If  not  much  mistaken, 
ten  or  twelve  persons  were  secured,  each  by  a  foot  to 
a  bar  twelve  feet  long,  and  two  inches  in  diameter. 
The  heavy  bolts  were  exhausted  in  the  story  below 
us.  When  they  came  to  our  range  of  rooms,  they 
turned  to  the  left,  instead  of  coming  to  ihe  right 
where  we  were.  By  the  time  the  officers  came  to 
U8,  even  the  hand-culfs  were  learly  out.  Each  of 
us  was  obliged  to  take  to  !)is  berth,  which  contained 
five  men  each.  When  they  had  shackled  those  of 
the  lower  births,  they  commenced  at  one  the  most 
distant  from  ours.  Sii|)ping  in  the  rear  of  my  com- 
panions, bent  down  in  apparent  trepidation,  the  black 
smith  ironed  my  mensmaies,  and  then  called  to  me 
to  descend  and  submit  to  his  office.  Coming — '  Nev- 
er mind  that  lad,'  said  my  friend  captain  Prentiss. 
They  had  but  three  or  four  pairs  .f  hand-cuffs  left, 
which  were  clapped  on  the  elderly  and  robust.  Be* 
gidoB  M'Coy,  our  BoQifac^  Uie  cook,  ]>p$t(^  Gib^n, 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


181 


informer.) 
f  the  ex- 
J8,  all  ter- 
ivas  nuga- 
;d  the  at- 
provisions 
urning  to 
cruciating 
verse  fate, 
die,  and  to 
ost  heart- 

sral  heavy 
irons,  such 
rive.    The 
he  ironing 
ny.     Here 
mistaken, 
liy  a  foot  to 
1  diameter, 
ory  below 
loms,  they 
the  right 
s  came  to 
Each  of 
I  contained 
id  those  of 
e  the  most 
f  my  com- 
1,  the  black 
[illed  to  me 
ig — '  Ncv- 
1  Prentiss, 
-cuffs  left, 
[bust.     Be* 
,or  Gibson, 


two  others  and  myself,  who  were  unhampered,  all  the 
rest  were,  in  appearance,  tightly  and  firmly  secured. 
Though  iVl'Coy  and  Boniface  were  adepts  at  insur- 
rection, yet  their  services  were  of  too  much  impor- 
tance to  government,  to  be  dispensed  with.  The 
others  of  the  unfettered  remained  so  from  the  exhaus- 
tion of  the  shackles.  A  new  species  of  interesting 
occurrences,  mingled  with  much  fun  and  sportive 
humoi  now  occurred,  which  was  succeeded  by  a  se- 
ries of  horrible  anguish.  The  doors  were  scarcely 
closed  before  we  l^egan  to  essay  the  unshackling. 
Those  who  had  small  hands,  by  compressing  the 
palms,  rouM  easily  slip  the  irons  from  their  wri^t.  Of 
thesj-  there  were  n  any,  who  became  the  assistants! of 
their  fne.nds,  whose  luinds  ueie  larger.  Here  there 
was  a  necessity  for  ingenuity.  Knives  notched  as 
saw-s  were  the  principal  means.  "^Phe  head  of  the 
rivei  at  the  end  of  the  bar  was  sawed  off;  it  was 
lengthened  and  a  sciew  formed  upon  it,  to  cap  which 
a  fiilse  head  was  made,  either  of  iron  or  of  lead,  re- 
sembling as  much  as  possible  the  true  head.  Again 
new  rivets  were  formed  from  the  iron  we  had  pre- 
served in  our  secret  hoards  from  the  vigilance  ot  the 
searchers.  These  new  rivets  lieing  made  to  benr  a 
strong  likeness  to  the  old,  were  then  cut  into  two 
parts — one  part  was  diiven  into  the  bolt  tightly,  be- 
came stationary,  the  other  part  was  moveable.  It 
behoved  the  wearer  of  the  manacle  to  look  to  it  that 
he  did  not  lose  the  loose  part,  and  when  the  search- 
eiHg  came  loexaniiite,  that  it  should  stand  firm  in  the 
orifice.  Soipe  poor  fellows,  perhops  fiom  a  defect  of 
ingenuity,  the  hardness  of  the  iron,  or  the  want  of 
the  requisite  tools,  could  not  discharge  the  bilboes. 
This  was  particularly  the  melancholy  predicament 
of  tHree  of  Morgan's  men,  v\  hose  heels  were  Uh)  long 
to  nUp  ihiuugh  the  iioa,  which  «acoui '^  i^sed.  the 


If  its] 


Itiiitti 


Am 


§'. 


]t2 


CAMPAIGN 


vi, 


m 


small  of  the  hg.  It  was  truly  painful  to  see  three 
persons  ati ached  to  a  monstrous  bar,  the  weight  of 
which  wa?  above  their  ptrenarih  to  carry.  Ii  added 
to  the  poisrnancy  of  iheif  pufferin^?,  in  svn'h  frigid 
weather,  that  their  colleafirnes  at  the  bar,  having 
shorter  heels,  could  withdraw  the  foot  and  perambu- 
late the  jail :  where  their  companions  left  them,  there 
they  must  remain  seated  on  the  floor,  unless  some 
kind  hands  assiisted  them  lo  remove. 

There  was  a  droll  dog  from  the  eastward,  who  was 
doubly  unfortunate :  in  the  attack  on  the  city  he 
had  received  a  spent  ball  in  the  pit  of  the  stomach, 
which  had  nearly  ended  him  :  now  it  l)ecame  his  lot 
to  have  an  immense  foot-bolt  fastened  to  hi-^  leg,  with- 
otit  a  companion  to  bear  him  company,  and  cheer  his 
lonelv  hours.  This  victim  of  persecution  andsorrow 
would  pometi'iies  come  auiong  us  in  the  yard,  bear- 
iiiff  up  his  bolt,  slung  by  a  cord  Ivitched  over  his 
shoulder.  Nothing  could  damp  his  spirits.  He 
talked,  lausrhed  and  sun?  incessantly.  Some  others, 
besides  those,  were  similarly  situated.  Those  who 
were  so  luckv  as  to  have  light  hand-cuffs,  bore  them 
about  with  them.  The  greatest  danger  of  discovery 
arose  from  those  who  could  free  themselves  from  the 
heavy  irons.  The  usual  visitations  were  increased 
from  twice  to  thrice  a  day — in  the  fii^t  and  last  the 
smith  searched  the  bolls  of  each  person.  But  there 
were  other  intrusions,  intermediately,  by  officers  evi- 
dently despatched  by  the  suspicions  of  government, 
for  the  purpose  of  discovery.  To  counteract  these 
new  measures  of  caution  and  jealousy,  we  were  well 
prepared.  Sentries,  on  our  part,  were  regularly  sta- 
tioned at  certain  windows  of  the  jail,  to  descry  the 
approach  of  any  one  in  the  garb  of  an  officer.  The 
vi»w  from  thete  windown  wk§  pretty  extensive,  down 
i%'t  ^  the  aitreets,  e^'efally  ttmi  Tedding  to  tire  pftkce. 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


188 


see  three 
weight  of 
It  added 
Xi'h  frigid 
r,  having 
perambii- 
lem,  there 
iless  some 

I,  who  was 
he  city  he 
I  stomach, 
ime  his  lot 
« leg:,  with- 
d  cheer  his 
and  sorrow 
rard,  hear- 
d  over  his 
liriis.      He 
ime  others, 
'hose   who 
bore  them 
f  discovery 
!?  from  the 
B  increased 
nd  last  the 
But  there 
r.fficer8  evi-    I 
ivernment, 
ract   these 
;  were  well 
ularly  sta- 
descrv  the 
Rccr.    The 
isive,  down 
the  pfthce. 


Notwithstanding  every  caution  to  avoid  detection,  yet 
the  clang  of  the  lock  of  the  great  dqpr  was  on  some 
occasions  the  only  warning  given  us  of  the  impend- 
ing danger.  The  scamperings  at  those  limes  weie 
truly  diverting,  and  having  always  e.-'caped  discov- 
ery, gave  us  much  amusement.  The  clanking  of 
the  fetters  followed,  and  wa.s  terrible ;  such  as  the 
imagination  forms  in  childhood  of  the  condition  of 
the  souls  in  Tartarus  ;  even  this  was  sport.  Happi- 
ly our  real  situation  was  never  known  to  any  of  the 
government  officers  ;  unless  the  good  blacksmith,  (a 
worthy  Irishman,  of  a  feehng  hecut,)  might  be  call- 
ed such,  and  he  was  silent.. 

Towards  the  middle  of  April,  the  scurvy,  which 
we  had  been  imbibing  during  the  wmier,  made  its 
appearance  in  its  most  virulent  and  deadly  forms,  pie-^ 
ced'd  and  accompanied  by  a  violent  dia'rhoea. — 
Many  of  those  who  were  first  aHe  ted  were  taken  to 
the  hospital ;  but  the  disease  soon  became  it;eneral  a- 
mong  us.  We  were  attended  several  limes  by  doc- 
tor Maybin,  the  physician  general,  who,  by  his  ten- 
der atif.ntions  and  amiable  manners,  won  our  affec- 
tions :  he  reconunended  a  clean^^iiig  of  the  ^^tomach, 
by  ipecacuanha  and  mild  caihartiChs  i^uch  as  rhu- 
barb, together  with  due  exercise.  Those  who  were 
young,  active,  and  sensible  of  the  doctor's  salutary 
advice,  k«pt  afoot,  and  practised  every  kind  of  ath- 
letic s|)ort  we  could  devise.  On  the  contrary,  those 
who  were  supinely  indolent,  and  adhered  to  their 
blankets,  became  objects  of  real  conmiiseration  — 
their  limbs  contracted,  as  one  of  mine  is  now  :  large 
blue,  and  even  black  blotches  appeared  on  iheit  UkJ- 
ies  and  limbs — the  gums  became  black — the  morbid 
flesh  fell  away — the  teeth  loosened,  and  in  several 
instances  fell  out.  Our  minds  w«  re  now  really  de- 
prefiaied.     'i  bat  hilarity  and  fun  which  vupporied  our 


■I^^ 


ft-i 


M- 


Ir" 


II 


184 


CAMPAIGN 


W 


spirits  in  the  greatest  misfortunes,  gave  way  to  wail- 
ings,  groanings  and  deai  h.  I  know,  from  dire  expe- 
rience, thai  when  the  body  suffers  pain,  the  mind,  for 
the  time,  is  deprived  of  alt  its  exhileratioiis — ^in  short, 
ahnost  of  the  power  of  thinking.  The  elbow  joints, 
the  hips,  the  knees,  and  ancles  were  most  severely 
pained.  It  was  soon  observed,  (though  the  doctor's 
mate  attended  us  almost  daily,  and  very  caiefnlly,) 
there  was  little  or  no  mitigation  of  our  diseases,  ex- 
cept that  the  diarrhoea,  which  was  derived  from  an- 
other cause  than  that  which  produced  the  scurvy, 
was  somewhat  abated  ;  and  that  our  remedy  lay 
elsewhere  in  the  materia  medica,  which  was  beyond 
the  grasp  of  the  physician.  The  diarrhoea  came 
from  the  nature  of  the  water  we  used  daily.  In  the 
month  of  April  the  snows  began  to  melt,  not  by  the 
heat  of  the  sun,  but  most  probably  by  the  warmth  of 
the  earth  beneath  the  snows.  The  ground,'  satura- 
ted with  snow-water,  naturally  increased  the  foun- 
tain head  in  the  cellar.  Literally,  we  drank  the 
melted  snow.  Ttie  scurvy  had  another  oiigin.  The 
diet — salt  purk,  infemous  biscuit — damp,  and  close 
confinement  in  a  narrow  space,  together  with  the  se- 
verity of  the  climate,  were  the  true  causes  of  the  scur- 
vy. 

There  was  no  doubt  in  any  reflective  mind  among 
us,  but  that  the  virtuous  and  beneficent  Carlton,  ta- 
king into  view  his  perilous  predicament,  did  every 
thing  for  us  which  an  honest  man  and  a  good  Chris- 
tian could. 

An  observation  may  be  made  in  this  place  with 
propriety :  that  is,  that  in  the  climates  of  all  high 
southern  or  northern  regions,  the  soil  is  very  rich  and 
prolific.  This  beneficial  operation  of  nature,  is,  in 
all  likelihood,  attributable  to  the  nitrous  qualities  that 
the  snow  deposites.    Of  the  fact  that  nitre  is  the 


AGAINST  QUBBKC. 


18ft 


^  to  wail- 
lire  expe- 
niiiid,  for 
—in  short, 
ow  joints, 
.  severely 
le  doctor's 
:aielully,) 
eases,  ex- 
I  from  an- 
le  scurvy, 
medy  lay 
as  beyond 
icea  came 
y.    lathe 
lot  by  the 
warmth  of 
nd,  satura- 

ihe  foun- 
drank  the 
igin.  The 

and  close 
'itii  the  se- 
lf the  scur- 

ind  among 

;arlton,  ta- 

did  every 

Qod  Ch;i»- 

place  with 
)f  all  high 
ry  rich  and 
lure,  is,  in 
lalities  that 
litre  is  the 


principal  ingredient  which  causes  fertility  in  the  ear»h, 
no  man  of  observation  can  at  this  d  ty  rea3onribly 
doubt.  The  earth  is  replete  of  it.  Wherever  earth 
and  shade  unite,  it  is  engendered  arid  becomt^  ap- 
parent. This  idea  is  proved  by  ihe  circumstance  that 
nitre  may  be  procured  from  caves,  the  earth  of  cel- 
lars, outhouses,  and  even  from  common  earth,  if  kept 
ullider  cover.  During  the  revolution,  when  powder 
was  so  necesisa'ry,  we  every  where  ex|)erienced  the 
good  eflTecis  of  this  discovery.  The  snows  that  usu- 
ally fall  in  Canada  about  the  middle  of  November, 
and  generally  cover  the  ground  until  the  end  of  A- 
pril,  ifi  my  opinion  fill  the  soil  with  thot»e  vegetative 
salts  that  forward  the  growth  of  plants.  This  idea 
was  evinced  to  nie  by  niy  vague  and  inconsiderate 
mind,  from  observations  then  made,  and  which  were 
more  firmly  established  by  assmances  trow  Captain 
Prentis,  ihai  muck  or  manure ,  which  we  employ  in 
southern  climates,  is  there  never  used.  In  that  coun- 
try the  moment  the  ground  is  free  fr.  m  snow,  the 
grass,  and  every  species  of  plant,  spring  forward  in 
the  most  luxuriant  manner.  Captain  Prentis,  be- 
sides the  continuation  of  his  care  and  friendship  to 
Gibjson  and  myself,  did  not  terfirain  his  generosity  to 
individuals,  but  procured  firus  a  permission  from  gov- 
ernment to  send  out  an  old  Irishman,  of  the  New- 
York  line,  an  excellent  Catholic,*to  *  oilect  for  us  veg- 
etable food.  The  first  specimen  of  this  good  old 
man's  attention  and  industry,  was  the  production  of 
a  large 4}:t8ket  full  of  the  ordinary  blue  grass  of  our 
country  ;  thi^  grass,  by  those  who  got  it,  was  devour- 
ed ravenously  at  the  basket,  if  so  happy  as  to  be  a- 
ble  to  coiYie  near  it.  Scurvy  grass,  in  many  varie- 
ties, eschalots,  small  onions,  onion  tops,  and  garlic, 
succeeded,  and  were  wekoocd  by  all  of  us  for  ^ev- 
eral  niomiis  a(ierw«u-dff.     Thii  voraoitmi  apngtttn  fbr 


■■:4. 


ill! 


liiti 


''J! 


Pi 


•'I 
■  p 

■    X 


m 


CAMPAIGN 


1^ 


("I 


vegetables  seems  to  bean  incident  always  concurring 
in  that  terrible  disease,  the  scurvy  ;  nature  seems  to 
instil  into  the  patient  a  desire  for  such  food,  and  of 
acids,  which  are  the  only  specific,  (with  a  due  atten- 
tion to  cleanliness,)  hitherto  discovered,  that  eradicate 
the  stamina  of  the  disease. 

About  the  time  above  spoken  of.  Gov.  Carlton  di- 
rected that  we  should  be  supplied  with  fresh  beef. 
This  was  no  other  than  that  which  had  been  brought 
into  the  city  when  we  lay  at  Point  aux  Tremble,  in 
the  foregoing  autumn,  and  in  aid  of  the  stores  of  the 
garrison.  It  had  lain  in  a  frozen  state  during  the 
winter  without  salting,  but  now  as  warm  weather 
was  approaching,  it  began  to  thaw,  and  was  lil^eral- 
ly  disposed  of  to  the  garrison  and  prisoners.  The 
beef  was  sweet,  though  here  and  there  a  little  blue- 
ish,  (like  the  mould  of  stale  bread,)  very  tender,  but 
somewhat  mawkish.  It  was  palatable  and  nutritive 
to  men  afflicted  as  w&  were.  This  beef,  connected 
with  vegetables,  soon  animated  us  with  an  idea  of 
returning  health  and  vigor ;  yet,  though  it  mitigated 
the  pains  we  endured,  it  did  not  totally  expel  the 
scurvy. 

The  7th  of  May  arrived.  Two  ships  came  to  the 
aid  of  the  garrison,  beating  through  a  body  of  icp, 
which  perhaps  was  impervious  to  any  other  than  the 
intrepid  sailor.  This  relief  of  men  and  stores  crea- 
ted great  joy  in  the  town.  Our  army  began  their 
disorderly  retreat.  My  friend  Simpson,  with  his  par- 
ty, was  much  misused,  from  a  neglect  of  giving  him 
information  of  the  intended  flight  of  our  army.  Some 
few  of  the  men  under  his  authority,  straggled  and 
were  taken  in  the  retreat.  They  came  to  inhabit  our 
house.  Now,  for  the  first  time,  we  heard  an  account 
of  (he  occurrences  during  the  winter's  blockade, 
which,  though  ol  trivial  import,  was  to  us  immense- 


•AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


187 


mciimng 
seems  to 
d,  and  of 
lue  atlen- 
eradicate 

larlton  di- 
resh  beef, 
n  brought 
embie,  in 
Hes  of  the 
uring  the 
I  weather 
as  lil)eraU 
>rs.  The 
ittle  bhie- 
inder,  but 
1  nutritive 
connected 
m  idea  of 
miiigated 
expel  the 

ime  to  the 
dy  of  icp, 
r  than  the 
ores  crea- 
gan  their 
ih  his  par- 
;ivjng  him 
ny.  Some 
rsled  and 
nhabit  our 
n  account 
blockade, 
immense- 


ly interesting.  The  snlly  of  this  day  produced  to  the 
prinoners  additional  comfort ;  though  the  troops  took 
a  severe  revenge  upon  our  friends  without,  by  burn- 
ing and  destroying  their  property.  The  next  day 
more  ships  and  troops  arrived :  a  pursuit  took  place, 
the  effect  of  which  was  of  no  consequence,  except  so 
far  as  it  tended  \x)  expel  the  col*  nial  tro<^ps  from  Can  • 
ada.  To  the  prisoners,  this  retreat  had  |)leasing  con- 
sequences; fre^h  bread,  beef  newly  slaughteied, and 
a  supers) bundance  of  vegetables,  was  a  salutary  diet 
to  our  reduced  and  scorbutic  bodies.  Si  ill,  freedom, 
that  greatest  of  blessings,  and  exercise,  were  requi- 
red to  bring  back  to  us  genuine  health.  About  this 
time  an  incident  occurred  that  threw  us  into  exiacy, 
as  it  relieved  our  minds  and  faculties  from  a  most 
torturing  piece  of  preservative  duty :  this  was  no  oth- 
er than  an  authoritative  divestment  of  the  iron?. — 
One  day,  perhaps  the  16th  or  18th  of  May.  Cv^lcnel 
Maclean,  attended  by  Major  (Jarlion,  a  younger bi oth- 
er of  the  General,  Major  Maibaum,  a  German  offi- 
cer, both  of  whom  had  just  ai rived  from  Europe,  to- 
gether with  Captain  Prentis,  and  other  officers,  en- 
tered the  jail  about  mid-day.  The  prisoners  paraded 
in  the  jaii-yard,  completely  ironed.  Captain  Prentis, 
by  the  direction  of  Colonel  Maclean,  pointed  out  to 
the  other  officers:  "This  is  General  such-a-one — 
that  is  Colonel  such-a-one,"  and  in  this  manner  pro- 
ceeded to  name  all  the  leading  characters.  Happen- 
ing to  be  very  near  the  amiable,  it  might  be  said,  ad- 
mirable Major  Carlton,  he  was  overheard  to  say,  *Col- 
onef,  ambition  is  laudable ;  cannot  the  irons  of  these 
men  be  struck  off?'  This  the  Colonel  ordeied  to  be 
done  immediately.  Our  kind-hearted  blacksmith 
was  not  distant:  he  came,  and  the  officers  remained 
to  see  some  of  the  largest  bolts  divested,  and  then  left 
ui.    <  Come,  come,  geotlemeu,'  said  the  blacksmith, 


Jll 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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CAMPAKm 


*  you  can  put  off  your  ironsi'  In  ft  minute;  the  vast 
pile  lay  before  Kim.  Btiingr  now  at  full  bodily  libera 
ty,  we  completed  a  ball  court  which  had  been  origin-^ 
ally  formed,  as  it  ^ere,  by  stealth.  Hrre  a  singular 
phenomenon  that  attends  the  scurvy,  discovered  it- 
self. The  venerable  and  respectable  Maybin  had  rec- 
ommended to  usexercise,  not  only  asta  means  of  cure, 
but  as  a  preventive  of  the  scorbutic  humors  operaiing. 
Pour  of  the  most  active  would  engage  at  a  game  of 
*^  fives."  Having  played  some  games  in  continua- 
tion, if  a  party  incautiously  sat  down,  he  was  seized 
by  the most  violent  pains  in  the  hips  and  knees,  that 
incapacitated  him  fiom  play  for  iitahy  hours,  and 
from  rising  from  the  earth,  where  the  patient  had 
seated  himaelf.  These  pains  taught  us  to  keep  afoot 
all  day,  and  even  to  eat  our  food  in  an  erect  posture. 
Going  to  bed  in  the  evening,  after  a  hardday*8  play, 
thone  sensations  of  pain  u()on  lying  down,  immedi- 
ately attacked  us,  The  pain  would  continue  half 
an  hour,  and  often  longer.  My  own  experience  will 
authoiise  me  to  say  two  hours.  In  the  morning  we 
rose  tree  from  pain,  and  the  routine  of  play  and  fa- 
tigue ensued,  but  always  atiendetl  by  -the  same  ef^ 
feciH,  particularly  tothestubbttrnand  incautious, who 
would  not  adhere  to  the  wholesome  advice  of  doctor 
Maybin.  Those  who  were  inadiive  retained  those 
excruciating  pains  to  the  last,  together  with  their  dis- 
torted, bloated,  and  blackened  limbs.  U|H)n  our  re* 
turn  ^om  Canada,  irrUhe  autumn  of  1776,  1  saw 
five  or  ^x  of  in  V  crippled  compatriots  hdbbling  through 
the  streets  of  Lancaster  on  (heir  way  home.  Itcost 
a  tear->a1l  that  could  be  given.'  By  the  month  of 
Atigust,  the  acti\'a  were  relieted  firom  iriose  pains. 

Towards  the  end  of  May  QoVernor  Cavlton  order- 
ed eacti  of  (he  prisoners  a  linen  shirt  This  gift,  to 
me,  wai  most  agrMAble,  aa  linen  SMd  the  flun,  ioi 


some 
have 


the  VRBt 
ily  iitoff 

Ringuiar 
^crecl  it- 
had  ree- 
I  of  cure, 
leraimg. 
game  of 
sntinua- 
18  seized 
ees,  that 
ire,  and 
ent  had 
sep  afoot 
posture, 
y's  play, 
inttiiedi^ 
nue  half 
ince  win 
itng  we 
afid  fa- 
tame  ef"" 
»UF,^ho 
f  doctor 
d  thoM 
lieirdis- 
our  re-i 
,  1  aaw 
'hrough 

It'coet 

>nth  of 
lini. 

order- 
[glft,  ib 

in,  iot 


AGAtNST  QUEBEC. 

some  monthff  past,  was  unfek,  and  few  persons  who 
have  nut  felt  the  extremity  Qf  such  endurances  as 
ours,  can  form  a  full  conception  of  the  gratification 
we  enjoyed.  Having  had  but  one  shirt  on  at  the 
ttfiie  of  our  capture,  it  was  soon  destroyed  by  the 
wearing  and  the  repeated  washings  it  required.  Del- 
icacy forbids  a  dilation  upon  the  consequences.  Yuu 
Would  laugh  at  the  description  of  one  of  our  wash- 
ing parties.  Rising  early,  the  prime  object  was  to 
make  a  strong  lye  of  wooid-ashes,  of  which  we  had 
plenty,  into  which  the  linen  was  plunged,  and  con- 
cocted for  an  hour  or  more,  under  a  liope  of  putting 
an  end  to  certain  vagrants,  of  a  genus  with  which 
most  of  us  are  acquainted.  During  the  boiling  the 
votaries  of  cleanliness,  cloaked  in  a  blanket,  or  blan- 
ket coat,  watched  the  ebulitbns  of  the  kc4tle.  The 
boiling  done,  the  linen  was  borne  to  the  yard,  where 
each  one  washed  his  own,  and  watched  it  during  the 
drying,  almost  in  a  state  of  nature.  Captain  Pren- 
Us,  pitying  my  sad  condition,  pressed  upon  me  often 
to  accept  from  him  money  to  purchase  a  suit  of 
clotheiji,  and  he  would  trust  to  the  honor  and  integri- 
ty of  my  Aither  for  payment,  whoee  chaiacter  he 
jcnew.  Adhering  to  my  first  determination,,  this  po« 
lite  and  genemus  proposal  of  my  amiable  and  deser- 
ving friend,  was  aa  often,  yet  mosttliaiikfully  declin- 
ed, maiigre  the  advice  of  my  bosom  friends,  Boyd 
and  Cunningham,  to  the  conuary.  He,  however, 
forced  upon  me  half  a  Johannes.  This  small  sum 
was  applied  to  the  solace  of  my  heart.  In  the  first 
place,,  to  an  article  still  more  necessary  than  a  shirt. 
The  residue  was  expended  upon  matters  which  cheer- 
ed the  hearts  of  my  messmaiee,  whom  1  dearly  lov- 
ed ;  cheese,  sugar,  tea,  ooflee,  Ac  Spirits  we^  de« 
tested,  at  we  knew  it  to  be  a  poison  lo  scorbutic  per- 
Wbai  pleaatd  ma  much  more,  and  ga^ra  ma 


rl 


^p 


C4^MPAlON   -i* 


pure  delight,  waa  the  following  occurrence :  Of  ray 
owD  accord,  no  one  knowing  of  the  intention,  the 
good  old  Irishman  was  delegated  to  purchase  three 
or  four  pounds  of  tobacco.  It  was  secreily  bought, 
and  as  tecreily  borne  to  our  room.  A  pound  was 
produced  and  fairly  parted  among  our  tobacco  chew^ 
ers.  You  caiimit  conceive  their  joy.  When  the  first 
paroxism  was  over,  t  he  remainder  was  disposed  of  id 
the  same  way.  The  thankfulness  of  those  brave, 
but  destitute  men,  aitiee  towards  me,  nearly  to  ador- 
ation. You  will  ask  why?  .  Hear  the  re.i8on ; 
FrotH  your  small  knowledge  of  mankiKid,  you  can 
have  little  conception  of  the  force  habfC  has  on  the 
human  irace.  One  who  chews,  smokes  or  snulfs  to* 
bacco,  is  as  little  able  to  abstain  from  ihlii  enjoyment 
as  you  would  be  if  compelled  U)'  refrain  from  your 
U!*ual  meals.  This  particular  is  stpoken  of,  to  per-» 
siiade  you  by  uo  means  to  use  tobacco:  in  any  shape. 
Ilia  a  poison  of  the  most  inveterate  kind,  which  like 
opium,  araenk)  and  several  other  medicaments,  may 
be  applied  Ur  healthful  purposes,  yet,  if  eniployed  in 
an  extreme  degree,  produces  instantaneous  death. 
These  kleas  are  not  visionary,  but  are suppoi  table  by 
the  auihoriiy  of  some  of  the  best  physkians.  .  You 
are  at  full  liberty  lo  put  your  own  const rui-tiona  up- 
on these  observationa.  But  to  return  to  my  fellow-^ 
prisoners. 

In  the  wilderness,  where  the  army  eoon  run  out 
the  article  of  tobacco,  the  men  had  many  valuable 
•uccedaneutoe.  The  barks  of  the  different  kinds  of 
firs,  I  he  cedar,  the  red  willow,  and  the  leaves  of  many 
astringent  or  bitter  plants  supplied  the  place ;  bisi 
within  th^  bare  walls  of  our  jail  there  was  no  substi- 
tute for  this  dear  and  inebriaiinf  vegetable.  Thut 
was  all  my  money  expendedr^nd  much  to  my  eatis* 
AuakiD,  and  to  the  heart-felt  pkfMur*  of  my  brava 


and  w 
iMtt  pc 
of  the 
k^ished 
cdnvak 
mferry 
IntI 
tain  Pr 
U:)  by  B 
of  bein 
broiigh 
deauBii 
was  ex 
bed  out 
nie  pen 
to  travc 
tended 
otir  Gei 
of  the 
graves  ' 
ly  walk 
Cheesei 
by  skle 
Ac,  w< 
sure.  J 
drearv  ^ 
but  littl 
which  1 
disnolvei 
eed  toti 
ed  of  II 
the  grai 
drpoeite 
soldier,; 
proceedt 
Uiateoti 


AGAlNBt  (^iifee 


III 


Of  ray 
m,  the 
le  three 
bought, 
nd  was 
i»  chew- 
ihe  (irst 
ed  of  ii) 
I  brave^ 
Lo  ador- 
re.i8on ; 
roil  can 
on  the 

joymeni 
m  your 
to  per-' 
y  shape, 
lich  hke 
Its,  may 

ioyed  in 
I  death, 
lableby 
You 
Dns  up* 
fellow^ 

un  nut 
aUiable 
Kinds  of 
fmany 
» ;  bik 
aubdti- 
Thua 
y  aatia* 


and  worthy  companions,  whose  suffering,  in  cer- 
taiii  points/weregreater  thari  my  own.  The  table 
of  the  virtuous  and  generous  Prentis  had  often  fiir- 
k^ished  me  fiiseraliy  with  wholesome  viands.  With 
cdnvalescency,  though  pennyless,  we  again  became 
merry  and  light-hearted. 

in  the  beginning  of  August  we  were  tnld  by  Cap^ 
tain  Prentis  that  the  Governor  had  concluded  to  send 
us  by  sea  to  New  York,  upon  parole,  for  the  purpose 
of  being  exchanged  ;  that  the  t'ransporis,  which  had 
brought  the  late  reinforcements  from  Europe,  were 
cleansing  and  preparing  for  the  voyage.  Now  there 
was  exultation.  On  the  7th  of  August  we  subscri- 
bed our  written  paroles.  Captain  Prentis  procured 
nie  permission  from  government,  with  a  few  friends, 
to  traverse  the  city.  An  officer  of  the  garrison  at- 
tended us.  Our  first  desire  was  to  see  the  grave  of 
otir  General  and  those  of  his  Aids,  as  well  as  those 
of  the  beloved  Hendricks  and  Humphreys.  'l*he 
graves  were  within  a  small  place  of  interment,  neat 
ly  walle^l  with  stone.  The  coffins  of  Montgomery; 
Cheeseman  and  M'Pherson,  wete  well  arranged,  side 
by  side ;  those  of  Hendricks,  Humphreys.  Coofier, 
{be,  were  artanged  on  the  south  side  of  the  inclo- 
sure.  As  tlie  burial  of  these  heroes  took  place  in  a( 
dreary  winter,  and  the  earth  impenetrable,  there  was 
but  little  earth  on  the  coffins:  the  snow  and  ice, 
which  had  been  the  principal  covering,  being  noM^ 
dissolved,  the  foot  of  the  General's  coffin  was  expo- 
sed to  the  air  and  view.  The  coffin  was  well  form- 
ed of  fir  plank.  Captain  Prentis  assured  me  that 
the  greves  stioutd  he  deeperfed  and  the  bodies  dtdy 
deposited,  for  he  also  knew  Motrigomery  as  a  fejlowi 
soldier,  and  lamented  bis  untittiely  Aite.  Thence  we 
proceeded'  paat  the  diadel,  along  tne  ramparts  tof  Cape 
jMiaM^  dttMBded  tke  deQllv&.y  rittiwgigriaiid«x« 


CAHPAIGN 


amined  the  stockades  and  block-house.  It  is  this. lit- 
tle tour  that  enabled  "*®  todescrilie  to  you  the  ate 
and  defences  uf  that  fornudable  pass,  ^ntceeding 
thence  through  a  part  of  the  lower  town,  we  came 
to  a  narrow  sir^,  which  led  us  to  an  immense  stair- 
way, one  of  the  ascents  into  the  upper  town.  As- 
cending here,  we  came  to  the  main  passage,  which 
curvatured  down  the  hilt  into  the  lower  town,  and 
which  was  to  lead  us  in  our  supposed  attack  upon  the 
upper  town  ;  this  we  puni>ued,  and  came  to  the  place 
of  the  second  barrier,  which  bad  been  lately  demol- 
ished. The  houses  on  both  sides  of  the  street,  in 
which  we  had  taken  our  stand, .  were  i^pw  iri  ruins, 
having  been  burnt  by  the  garrison,  as  were  the  sUb* 
urbs  of  St.  Roque  and  St.  John's.  This  was  done  to 
render  them  unfit  for  the  shelter  of  future  assailanis. 
Thus  it  is,  that  war  destroys  the  wealth,  and  robs 
the  individual  of  happiness.  We  had  no  time  to 
make  observations  but  such  lis  could  be  done  in  pass- 
ing hastily.  Returning  to  the  upper  town  by  the 
principal  and  winding  road,  we  were  strongly  imt 
pressed  with  the  o|iinTon  that  if  our  whole  force,  >as 
was  intended,  had  formed  a  junction  iii  the  lower 
town,  that  it  was  utterly  impracticable,  either  from 
our  number  or  our  means,  to  mount  by  a  road  such 
as  this  yrtm.  Suppose  it  not  to  have  been  barricaded 
and  enfiladed  by  cannon^  it  must  be  assailed  by  the 
bayonet,  of  which  weapon  we  had  very  few,  and 
the  enemy  was  fully  supplied.  But  when  we  rif fleet 
that  acrqss  the  road,  at  the  centre  of  the  arc  of  each 
curve,  there  was  a  barricada,  and  cannon  placed  to 
rake  the  intervals  between  tba,  different  barricades, 
tha  diflipMlties  of ,  the  ascent,  Which  it  very  staep, 
would  ba  increased  even  to  insurmountability.  Toe 
iroad  is  very  narrow*  And  lined  ne^t  the  hill,  hy  a 
fUVeodoiii.j^raa^ :  91^  iha  other  h«^  thero  wt^f 


someH 
decUvit 
was  an 
tain  th< 
coniinei 
treat,  01 
But  siif 
arrived 
upper  t( 
seiited  J 
in  the  1 
is  a  hoi 
and  the 
out  of  t 
Athwaj 
tieighi  J 
the  waj 
might  f 
the  fori 
harm  f 
But  th< 
dant  sti 
our  nui 
tred. 
striiciec 
toHing 
scheme 
senary 
Genera 
Uicean 
blaprec 
lower! 
Diesi  I 
plans, 
promnl 


AGAINI^T  QUEBEC. 


mme  houses  romaniically  perched  on  the  side  of  the 
declivity,  and  some  rocks.  The  declivity,  of  itself, 
was  an  excellent  defence,  if  the  besieged  could  main- 
tain the  position  in  Cron't,  for  in  a  short  time,  in  so 
confined  a  space,  the  assailants  must  either  die,  re- 
treat, or  be  thrown  down  the  hill  from  the  road. — 
But  suppose  all  these  defences  overcome,  and  we  ha^i 
arrived  at  the  brow  of  tlie  hill  at  the  entrance  ot  the 
upper  towti,  here  a  still  more  formidable  obstacle  pre- 
sented itself  than  those  which  could  be  formed  by  art 
in  the  lower  parts  of  the  road.  At  this  place  there 
is  a  hollow  way,  which  in  the  hurry  we  were  in, 
and  the  slight  view  we  dared  take,  appeared  as  if  cut 
out  of  the  aoiid  rock,  of  a  depth  of  thirty  or  forty  feet. 
Athwart  thi#  way  there  was  a  strong  stockade,  of  a 
lieighi  nearly  equal  with  the  perpemiicular  slides  of 
the  way  or  guUey.  From  the  surface  above,  we 
might  have  b^n  stoned  to  death  by  the  defenders  of 
the  fortress,  without  a  probability  of  their  receiving 
harm  from  us  below,  though  ever  so  well  armed. 
But  the  stockade  itself,  fit)m  its  structure  and  abuur 
dant  srrength,  would  have  resisted  a  force  manifold 
our  numbers,  and  much  better  supf^ied  and  accou- 
tred. From  thes^  observations,  (tnose  of^n  unia- 
striicied  youth,  to  be  sure,)  there  was  no  hesitation  in 
teUing  my  intimate  friends,  then  and  since,  that  the 
scheme  of  the  conquest  of  the  upper  town  was  vis- 
ionary and  groundless;  not  the  resuH  of  our  dear 
General's  reflections,  but  forced  upon  liim  by  the  na- 
tiice  and  necessiiieeof  the  timen,  and  his  di8a|^reea- 
bia  predieameni.  If  a  coalition  of  our  forces  ui  the 
lower  town  had  taken  effect,  the  General  wouM  then 
mesi  probably  haive  developed  his  latent  and  real 
piaof.  The  reaeone  given  in  council  ma^  have  been 
promnlgaled  merely  to  Induce  a  more  spirited  exer- 
y0a  upMi  t|ie  ptii  4f  tU  oAmc»  ftod  Mdiery  vAu^ 


[,'^HpiWf«»*'Wfw*«m'*.'i.r<py>jW' 


m 


I^AMPAIGH 


were  not  in  the  secret,  tn  excite  a-ficHtiowg  valor.  Oet- 
lins:  into  serinuR  action,  and  warmed  by  the  oppnei- 
tion  of  the  enemy,  the  troopRnvisrht  have  been  indu- 
ced trt  persevere  in  any  apparently  sudden  deptsrn  of 
the  General,  The  cnpiditv  of  the  soldiers  had  been 
played  upon.  Thi«  latter  fact  is  known  to  me  of  my 
awn  particular  knowled^re.  Somis^weeks  before  the 
attack  the  soldiers,  in  their  common  conv*»rsation««, 
spoke  of  the  r«nquej»t  of  the  citv  as  a  certaintv,  and 
exultinpfly  of  the  plunder  they  should  win  bv  their 
bravery.  It  was  not  mv  business  to  contradict,  but 
to  ur^re  them  on.  Perhaps  by  settinc  Jlreto  the  low- 
er ti>wn.  on  the  side  of  Cape  Diamon4  (considering 
the  prevailinfiT  wind,  which  was  at  south-east,  hut 
afterwards  changed  to  north  and  north-west.)  such  a 
design  mijB^bt  have  been  effected.  Theshippinir also 
ice-boun(t,  numerous  and  valuable,  moored  around 
the  point,  would  have  been  consumable.  All  this  de- 
strnciion  would  have  been  a  victory  of  no  mean 
kinA  ;  but  addinsr  eclat  to  thd  known  firallantry  and 
prowess  of  the  General.  The  Almisrhty  willed  that 
we  should  never  know  the  pith  ormarrow  of  his  pro- 
jects ;  whatever  they'  were,  my  mind  is  assnred  that 
they  were  considemtely  and  well  desifrned.  He  was 
not  a  man  ti>  act  inc«utiouslv  and 'without  motive, 
and  too  honest  and  brave  to  adopt  H  sinister  mirt.  No 
dofibt  we  could  hnvei^caped  by  f  he  way  of  St.  Boqne, 
protected  by  the  smoke  of  the  conflafirration,  and  the 
terror  and  bustle  which  would  consequently  be  crea- 
ted in  the  t6wri.  Thouirh  this  path  is  too  nurrow 
far  the  operation  of  a  larjirto  body  of  men,  ii|  an  ex- 
tended fmnt.  atill  we  should  hive  been  too  nnmerom 
(under  the  circnmi^nres  siippnsed^V  ^  the  (^neihy 
tiraffbrd  a  force,  issuinf(  f^nt  Palacfe  frnte,  adec|ntf« 
topDpQ«eu8,  |n  the  nifjtt  instance,  if  we  should 
ht^pptmiob^f^mtf  fMiuoato  ii  iiiQii  ii  liinity  ii 


AOJUKtn  QUEBEC. 


fii 


)r.  Get- 

Mfi  indu- 
erisrn  of 

neof  mv 
fnrpt  the 
rwition**, 
nfv,  and 

by  their 
rtict.  hut 

thelow- 
isiderin^ 
eapt,  htit 
.)  puch  a 
ipinsralfio 
li  armmd 
II  thie  de- 
no  mean 
ntf^  arid 
illed  that 
f  hip  prb- 
nrfid  that 

Hewaa 
t  motivi>», 
fwrt.  No 
It.  RoqiHs, 
I,  and  the 
r  be  crea- 
f>  narrow 
Q  an  ex- 
innneroiM 
e  (^neiiny 
ad^cynate 
6  phould 


to  beat  the  foes,  they  must  retreat  into  the  city  by  the 
way  of  Palaee  gate,  and  we  should  have  entered 
pelt  melt,  and  should  thus  have  achieved  the  poftiies- 
sion  of  that  important  place,  the  upper  town,- which 
was.the  primary  view,  and  last  hope  of  the  general 
and  the  army.  These  were  the  crude  notions  of  a 
yoQth,  formed  upi^i  the  spot,  but  in  a  maturation  of 
thirty  yeais  are  stillreiained. 

The  General  did  not  want  for  information.  Many 
persons,  male-  and  female,  (unnecessary  mouths,) 
were  expelled  the  city,  to  wander  for  sul^istence  a- 
mon^  their  friends  in  the  country.  His  own  knowl- 
edge of  Cluebec,  where  he  had  served,  would  enable 
htm  by  interrogation  to  extort  from  these  ettiigrants  a 
full  slock  of  iiiforiuation  of  all  the  new  defences  e- 
retted  by  Governor  iJarlton  since..  Consef,iienily, 
knowing  the  praaicftbility  of  Cape  Diatitoud  as  an 
entrance  to  the  lower  town,  (but  a  most  dangerous 
one,)  and  that^of  St  JEloque,  with  which  and  its  bar- 
riers, he  was  particularly  acquainted,  from  his  own 
and  the  observations  of  others ;  if  so,  be  would  most 
astsiiredly  be  informed  of  the  defensive  obstructions 
on  the  slope  of  the  hill,  and  the  employment  of  the 
(t-oops  that  would  in  cdn^quence  att^.nd:  and  he 
would  also  know  that  this  place,  to  iho  garrisimi. 
would  be  a  perfect  Thetmopylie,  impassable  by  ten 
times  our  number,  if  we  bad  been  ^^eterans  and  wera 
bettei  furnished.  From  these  reasons  there  was  anr 
induiement  for  my  mind,  at  all  times  since  the  at- 
tack, to  conclude  that  it  was  never  General  Mont- 
gomery's real  design  to  conquer  the  upper  town  by 
an  invasion  froln  the  lower  town^  hut  his  hidden  ana 
true  plan  was,  by  a  consolidation  of  bur  whole  iorce, 
to  burn  the  lower  tow9  and  sliipping,  and  to  retreat 
by  the  way  of  Palace  g^te  and  St.  Roque.  If  a 
tally  waa  madt^  »t  Palace  gate,  Ut»  events  as  was  o|»r 


IM 


CAMPAIGN 


served  before,  might  be  ffttal  to  the  enemy.  The 
comprelieiisive  mind  of  Monigoiiiery  wouid  not  only 
appreciate  to  the  full  extent  the  peculiar  advantages 
of  the  enemy,  but  estimate  to  its  true  value  the  means 
he  possessed,  and  the  merits  of  his  own  army.  Pre^ 
suming  the  colonists  to  be  successful  in  the  lower 
town,  where  there  was  much  wealth,  and  the  ava- 
ricious among  us  be  in  some  degree  gratified,  it  would 
have  created  a  spirit  of  hope  and  eiiterprize  among 
the  men,  tending  to  induce  them  to  remain  with  us. 
Afterwards,  combining  our  whole  force,  with  the  re- 
inforcemients  we  had  a  prospect  of  receiving,  an  at- 
tack upon  the  upper  town  n>ight  have^cceeded.  In 
«r  word,  the  destruction  of  the  lower  town,  in  my  ap- 
prehension, should  be  considered  merely  as  prepara- 
tory to  a  genei-al  assailment  of  the  upper  tiiwn,  not- 
withstanding all  that  has  been  said  in  the  memoirs 
of  those  days.  A  contrary  opinion  went  abroad  that 
"  the  General  if  he  had  lived,  by^bis  assault  would 
have  conquered  Cluebec."  No  idea  could  be  more 
fallacious.  It  was  politically  right  to  keep  up  that  o- 
pjnion  among  the  people  in  thoiw  tryirig  times,  but 
Its  accomplishment  with  our  occOmpaniment  of  men 
and  defective  arms,  was  ideal  Our  walk  from  the 
great  gate  and  palisade  was  considerable, ere  we  reach- 
ed our  detestable  d\i  elling  ;  as  we  had; enjoyed  a  few 
hours  of  fleeting  liberty,  the  "  lockirrg-up"  became 
the  more  horrit^  to  our  feelingi^.  The  next  day^ 
however,  we  had  the  ineffable  pleasure  of  marching 
in  a  body  to  the  water  skle,  and  embarked  on  board 
five  transports.  On  the  following  day  a  new  joy  was 
in  store  foir  roe.  General  William  Thompson,  (of 
wluNn  it!  miglH  well  be  said,  ^ikU  is  a  many)  who 
had  commanded  our  regiment. at  Prospect  hill,^  as  its 
Colonel,  had  been  taken  prisoner  at  the  Three  Riv- 
ars^  with  sever^  othai  oncers,  in  the  preceding  montli 


e 


The 
lot  only 
antages 
i  means 
y.   Pre^ 

lower 
fci©  ava- 
il would 

aniong 
with  u€, 
1  the  re- 

an  at* 
ded.  In 

myap- 
prepara- 
wn,  not- 
menioira 
road  that 
lit  would 
be  more 
ipthato- 
imeSfbut 
t  of  men 
from  the 
^e  reach- 
yed  a  fiew 

became 
ext  day, 
narcbing 
on  board 
V  joy -was 
psuQ,  (of 
!«,')  who 
lill^  as  its 
^ree  Riv- 
ng  monUi 


AGAINST  QUt:BEC. 

of  June.  He  was  now  aboard  of  our  little  fleet,  des- 
tined to  New  York.  Thnmp^n  came  to  our  ship  to 
visit  the  ftii^erable  remnant  of  a  part  of  his  gallant 
corps.  The  General  had  a  special  message  to  me 
from  my  faiher,  with  whom  he  was  intimate.  Com- 
ing through  Lancaster  in  his  way  to  his  command 
in  Canada,  he  was  authorized  by  my  fHther,  if  he 
saw  me  in  that  cotmtry,  to  furnish  me  with  money. 
The  good  man  proffered  me  four  half-johannes ;  one 
only  was  accepted.  What  was  nearer  and  dearer  to 
my  heart  was  the  information  that  my  parents,  rela- 
tives and  friends  were  well.  That  money  was  ap- 
plied to  the  u^e  of  my  messmates  in  the  way  of  sea 
stores.  Permission  being  obtained,  B<>yd  aiid  myself 
went  ashor« :  our  purchases  consisted  of  a  very  large 
Cheshire  cheese,  coffee,  tea  and  sugar,  together  witt^ 
a  targe  roll  of  tobacco  for  the  men^  Again  penny- 
less,  jollity  and  riiirth  did  not  forsake  us. 

We  Vailed  on  the  tenth  of  August,  convoyed  by 
the  Pearl  frigate,  Captain  M'Kenzie.  Parsing  the 
delightful  island  of  Orlt^ans,  much  in  shoie,  we  ob- 
served the  fkrmers  reaping  their  wheat,  and  as  we  run 
along  We  could  seethai  t he hau>«i,iiiinauy  instances, 
was  green  towards  the  foot  of  the  stalk.  From  this 
circumstance  it  was  concluded  that  frequently,  partic- 
ularly hi  cold  or  wet  seasons,  the  grain  must  be  kiln- 
dried,  fts  is  done  in  the  north  of  Knglandand  in  (Scot- 
land, before  it  is  housed  and  threshed.  I1ie  wheat, 
though  sown  between  the  fifteenth  and  tweniieih  of 
May,  and  probably  sometimes  earlier  or  later,  is 
weigtity,  and  prtMJuces  a  very  fine  white  flour.  I'he 
voyage  d«)wn  the  river,  except  a  few  boisterous  days, 
was  pleasant  We  had  some  itoble  views,  tntersper- 
sed  here  agd  there  with  something  like  villages,  chap- 
ifi  ihd  form  houses.  Afterwards,  we  had  in  pros- 
peel  a  bleak  atid  dreary  coast  and  country,  whoie 

If 


rl 


Eli 


CAMPAIGN 

craggednesfl  inspiied  disagreeable  sensations.  The 
greatest  curiosities  were  the  seals, -whose  historyrand 
manners  were  then  known  to  me,  but  whose  living 
form  excited  attention  as  they  were  creeping  up  or 
baskiug  on  the  rocks.  The  poi  poises,  perfectly^  white, 
in  vast  droves,  played  before  and  around  us,  and 
drew  my  attention  and  surprise,  as  none  but  the  black 
southern  porpoise  had  before  come  under  my  view. 
To  become  a  naturalist  it  is  necessary  a  man  should 
travel;  it  was  many  years  before  books  could. per- 
suade me  of  the  existence  of  a  green-haired  monkey ; 
but  these  were  diminutive  objects  indeed  in  nature's 
scale  of  comparative  imagery,,  when  coi^trasted  with 
the  immense  river  Cadaracqua^  or  as  it  is  noAV  call- 
ed St.  Lawrence,  second  to  no  river  in  the  w<)rld,  un- 
less it  be  the  La  Plata,  of.  South  America.  Makings 
thisobservatiofi,  you  must  understand  me  to  include 
within  it  the  lake  Superior,  and  the  waters  that  feed 
that  lake.  Off  Gaspy  Point,  where  we  soon  arrived, 
in  a  due  north  line  acroi^s  ihe  i.^laitd  of  Anticosta,  the 
liver  is  about  ninety  miles  wide.  Steering  with  fa- 
vorable weather,  the  island  of  St  John's  came  in 
view;  passing  it)  and  the  Gut  of  Cauceaux,  experi- 
encing some  storiTty  weather  upon  the  ocean,  and  a 
few  ditiiculties,  we  happily  arrived  at  New  York  on 
the  1 1th  of  September,  1776,  and  anchored  three 
miles  south  of  Governor's  Inland.  Now  it  was,  for 
tlie  first  time,  that  we  beard  of  th^  dilemma  in  Aviiich 
our  country  stood. 

The  imttle  of  Long  Island,  on  the  27th  of  August^ 
had  been  unsuccessfully  fought- by  our  troops,  many 
of  wKom  were. prisoners.  In  such  hurrying  ^imes 
intercourse  between  hc^stile  armid9  in  the  way  of  ne^ 
gotiation^upnn  any  point,  is  effected  with  difficulty. 
We  had  waited  patiently  several  v^eeks  to  bedisem^ 
barked  on  our  owa  frieiMUy  s^ore,  y<ei  timtalized  ev* 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


lit 


I.    The 
oryraiid 
le  living 
g  up  or 
f  white, 
us,  aad 
he  black 
»y  view. 
t)  ehoulck 
uld .  per- 
iionkey  \ 
nature's 
^ted  with 
low  call- 
:oiId,  un- 
Makiug^ 
)  include 
that  feed 
\  arrived, 
x)sia,  the 
with  fa- 
came  in 
experir 
n,  and  a 
York  on 
ed  three 
was,  for 
iuAviiich 

August^ 
>9,  many 
)g  4in)e8 
ay  of  ne^ 
iifficuUy. 
)e  disenif 
Uzed  ev* 


ery  day  with  reports  that  to-morrow  we  should  be  put 
on  Hhore^  some,  and  in  a  little  while  all,  began  to 
fear  it  was  the  intention  of  General  Howe  to  detain 
us  aaprimmera  in  opposition  to  the  good  will  of  Sir 
Guy  Carlton.  This  notion  had  t^o  strongly  impress* 
ed  the  minds  of  my  friend  Doctor  Thomas  Gibson, 
and  a  young  man  called  Juhn  Biair,  of  Hendiicks, 
that  they  determined  to  escape  from  the  ship.  They 
were  both  of  them  athletic  and  able  bodied  men,  and 
most  adroit.  Gibson  planned  the  manner  of  escape ; 
its  ingeniousness,  hazard,  boldne«}s  of  execution,  and 
eventual  success,  received  the  applause  of  all,,  but 
was  disapproved  upon  the  principle  that  it  trenched 
upon  their  honor,  and  would  impede  our  release.-— 
The  story  is  this  :  Gibson  and  Blair,  in  the  evt  ning, 
dressed  in  shirts  and  trowsers,  were  upon  the  main 
deck  with  their  customary  flapped  hats  upon  their 
beads.  Gibson  gave  me  a  squeeze  of  the  hand  in 
token  of  farewell :  he  was  greeted  kindly,  for  he  was 
the  brother  of  my  soul.  He  and  his  companion  went 
to  the  forecastle,  where  there  were  two  large  New 
Foundland  dogs,  each  of  which  had  his  pnrty,  or 
rather,  his  partizans  among  the  crew:  These  the 
adventurers  hissed  at  each  other ;  the  dogt^  being  en- 
gaged with  their  usual  fury,  attracted  the  atienlton 
of  the  sailors  and  many  of  the  prii«oners ;  they  took 
this  opportunity  of  stripping  and  letting  themselves 
down  at  t-he  bow  into  the  water.  Leaning  over  the 
sides  of  the  ship  in  compa;ny  of  some  friends  in  the 
secret,  and  unregardful  of  the  dogs,  we  awaited  the 
management  of  the  flight.  The  last  lighted  cloud 
appeared  Ww  in  the  west.  Something  extraordinary 
passed  along  the  side  i  a  foolish  fellow  asked  *  what 
is'thatT  *  A  wave,  you  fool— a  mere  deceptk)ii  of 
sight,'  was  ariswered.  It  was  the  head  of  Gibson,. 
covered  by  his  large  black  hat.    Withiita  few  yards 


'■  !:; 


■» 


1 


;  ■, 


0AMPAI6K 


I; 

I 
I 


of  Gibson  came  Blair,  but  witb  a  emaller  hat ;  he 
was  obvious.  His  wliite  skin  difcoveied  him,  but 
hickily  ihe  attention  of  the  ignoramus  was  engaged 
another  way.  These  daring  men  swam  to  the  barge 
at  ihe  stern,  entend  if,  and  slipped  the  rope.  They 
had  rowed  a  thou»:and  yards  before  the  boat  was  mm' 
ed.  The  other  boats  of  our  ship,  and  tho^  near  us, 
were  despatched  after  the  runax^ays;  it  was  too  late, 
the  fugitives  had  too  much  of  a  start  to  be  easily  o- 
vertaken.  They  landed,  (having  rowed  about  five 
miles;)  naked  in  our  own  country,  somewhere  in  the 
vicinity  of  Bergen-neck,  and  bartered  the  boat  for 
some  ortiinary  clothing.  They  waited  on  General 
Washington,  who  di^^approved  of  their  conduct. 

A  short  time  after  the  foregoing  occurrence,  a  most 
beautiful  and  luminous,  but  baleful  sight  occurred  to 
us ;  that  is,  the  city  of  New  York  on  fire.  One 
night,  (Sept.  22,)  the  watch  on  deck  gave  a  loud  no- 
tice of  this  disaster.  Running  upon  deck  we  could 
percei  e  a  li|i(ht,  which,  at  the  distance  we  were  from 
It,  (four  miles,)  was  apparently  of  the  size  of  the 
flame  of  a  candle.  This  light  to  me  appeared  to  be 
the  bi:rning  of  an  old  and  noted  tavern,  called  the 
'  Fighting  Cocks,'  (where,  ere  this  I  had  lodged,)  to 
the  east  of  the  battery,  and  near  the  wharf.  The 
wind  was  southwardly,  and  blew  a  fresh  ^9\e ;  the 
flames  at  this  place,  because  of  the  wind,  mcieased 
lapidly.  In  a  moment  we  saw  another  light  at  a 
great  distance  from  the  first,  up  the  North  Kiver. — 
The  latter  light  seemed  to  be  an  original,  distinct  and 
new  formed  fire,  near  a  celebrated  tavern  in  the  Broad- 
way called  *  White  Hall.'  Our  anxiety  for  the  fate 
of  so  fine  a  city  caut*ed  much  solicitude,  as  we  har- 
bored a  belief  that  the  enern^  had  fired  it.  Th« 
flumes  were  fanned  by  the  briskness  of  the  breeze, 
ftnd  drove  the  dettoicUve  efl*ectg  of  the  elemeate  oo 


AGAINSn*  QUEBEC. 


201 


hat;  he 
im,  but 
engaged 
lie  barge 
They 

as  nH!*8- 

near  U9, 
too  iate, 
easily  o- 
K>ut  five 
re  in  ihe 
boat  for 
General 
net. 

B,  a  most 
;urred  to 

e.  One 
loud  no- 
/e  could 
ere  from 

of  the 
ed  to  be 
lied  the 
ged,)  to 

f.  The 
Eile;  the 
ncreased 
;ht  at  a 
River. — 
inctand 
leBroad- 

the  fate 
we  har- 
t.    The 

breeze, 
leutt  00 


alt  sides.  When  the  fire  reached  the  spire  of  a  large 
steeple,  south  of  the  tavern,  which  was  attached  to  a 
large  cliurch,  the  effect  upon  the  eye  was  astonish- 
ingly grand.  If  we  could  have  divested  ourselves  of 
the  knowledge  that  it  was  the  property  of  our  fellow 
citizens  which  was  consuming,  the  view  might  have 
been  esteemed  sublime,  if  not  pleasing.  The  deck 
of  our  ship,  for  many  hours,  was  lighted  as  at  noon 
day.  In  the  commencement  of  the  conflagration,  we 
observed  many  boats  putting  off  from  the  fleet,  row- 
ing speedily  towards  the  ciiy  ;  our  boat  was  of  the 
number.  This  circumstance  repelled  the  idea  that 
our  enemies  were  the  incendiaries,  for  indeed  they 
professedly  went  in  aid  of  the  inhabitants.  The 
boat  returned  about  day  light,  and  from  (he  relation 
of  the  officer  and  the  crew  we  clearly  discerned  that 
the  burning  of  New  York  wan  the  act  of  some  mad 
cap  Americans.  The  sailors  told  us,  in  their  blunt 
manner,  that  they  had  seen  one  American  hanging 
by  the  heels  dead,  having  a  bayonet  wound  through 
bis  breast.  They  named  him  by  his  christian  and 
sirname,  which  they  saw  imprinted  on  his  arm;  they 
averred  he  was  caught  in  ihe  act  of  flring  the  hou- 
ses. They  told  us  also  that  they  had  seen  one  per- 
son who  was  taken  in  the  act  tossed  into  the  flie,  and 
that  several  who  were  stealing,  and  suspected  as  in- 
cendiaries, were  bayonetted.  Summary  justice  is  at  no 
time  laudable,  but  in  this  instance  it  liiay  have  been 
correct.  If  the  Greeks  couid  have  been  resisted  at 
Persepoli^*,  every  soul  of  them  ought  to  have  been 
massacred.  The  testimony  we  received  from  the 
sailors,  my  own  view  of  the  distinct  beginning  of 
the  fire,  in  various  spots,  remote  from  each  other,  and 
Ihe  manner  of  its  spreading,  impressed  my  mind  with 
the  belief  that  the  burning  of  the  city  was  the  do- 
ings pf  the  moit  low  and  vile  of  persons,  for  the  pur- 


I 


Ml  CAMPAIGN 

poees  not  only  of  thieving,  but  of  devastation.  This 
seemed  to  be  the  general  sense,  not  only  of  the  Brit- 
ish, but  that  of  the  prisoners  then  aboaid  the  trans- 
ports. Laying  directly  south  of  the  city,  and  in  a 
range  witfi  Broadway,  we  had  a  fair  and  full  view 
of  the  whole  process.  The  persons  in  the  ships  near- 
er to  the  town  than  we  weie,  uniformly  held  the  same 
opinion.  It  was  not  until  some  years  afterwards  that 
a  doubt  was  created  ;  but  for  the  honor  of  our  coun- 
try and  its  good  name,  an  ascription  was  made  of  the 
firmg  of  the  city  to  accidental  circumstances^  It 
may  be  well  that  a  nation,  in  the  heat  and  turbu- 
lence of  war,  should  endeavor  to  promote  its  interests 
by  propagating  reports  ol  its  own  innocence  and  prow- 
easj  and  accusing  its  enemy  of  flagrant  enormity  and 
dastardiiness,  (as  was  dune  in  tins  particular  case,) 
but  when  peace  comes,  let  us,  in  God's  name,  do  jus- 
tice to  them  and  to  ourselves.  Baseness  and  villany 
are  the  gruwth  of  all  climes,  and  of  all  nations. — 
Without  the  most  cogent  testimony,  as  the  fact  oc- 
curred within  my  own  view,  the  ek^quence  of  Cicero 
could  not  convince  me  that  the  firing  was  accidental. 
Same  lime  after  the  burning  of  the  city  we  under- 
stood that  we  were  to  be  embarked  in  shallops,  and 
landed  at  Blizabethiown  point. 

The  intelligence  caused  a  f>parkling  in  every  eye. 
On  the  next  day  about  noon  we  were  in  the  boats. 
Adverse  winds  retarded  us.  It  was  ten  or  eleven  at 
nigbt,  before  we  landed  ;  the  moon  shone  beautiful- 
ly. Morgan  stood  in  the  bow  of  the  boat ;  making 
a  spring  not  easily  surpassed,  and  falling  on  the  earth 
as  It  were  to  grasp  it,  cried  *'  Oh  my  country."  We 
that  were  near  him,  pursued  his  eiample.  Now  a 
race  commenced,  which  in  quickness  could  scarcely 
be  exceeded,  and  soon  brought  us  to  Elizaheihlown, 
V  Uere  ihuie  oi  us  wt|o  weie  drowsy  ipeal  an  uoeasy 


LvThis 
he  BriU 
e.irans- 
[id  in  a 
uU  view 
ps  near- 
he  same 
irds  that 
jr  coun- 
je  of  the 
ices^  It 
1  turbu- 
interests 
id  prow- 
iiiiy  and 
ir  case,) 
s,  do  jus- 
I  villany 
lions. — 
fact  oc- 
f  Cicero 
;idental. 
)  uiider- 
ps,  and 

cry  eye. 

i  boats. 

even  at 

taiitifuU 

making 

ie  earth 

»    We 

Now  a 

icarcety 

htown, 

uneasy 


niffht  Being  unexpected  gueRtf>f  and  the  town  full 
of  troopRf  no  quarters  were  provided  for  us.  Joy  ren- 
dered beds  upetess ;  we  did  not.  close  our  eyes  till  day- 
light. Singingf  dancing,  the  Indian  halloo,  in  short, 
every  species  of  vociferou^ness  was  adopted  by  the 
men,  and  many  of  the  most  respectable  sergeants,  to 
express  their  extreme  pleasure.  A  stranger  coming 
amonsr  them  would  have  pronounced  them  mad,  or 
at  least  intoxicated ;  thousrh  since  noon  neither  food 
nor  liquor  had  pastsed  our  lips ;  thus  the  passions  may 
at  times  have  an  influence  on  the  human  frame  as 
inebriatingas  wine,  or  any  other  liquor.  The  morning 
brouGrht  us  plenty,  in  the  form  of  rations  of  beef  and 
bread.  Hunger  allaved,  my  only  desire  was  to  pro- 
ceed homewards.  Money  was  wanting.  How  to 
obtain  it  in  a  place  where  all  my  friendsand  acquain- 
tances were  alike  poor  and  destitute,  gave  me  great 
anxiety  and  pain.  Walking  up  the  street  very  mel- 
ancholy, unknowing  what  to  do,  I  observed  a  wag- 
gon, built  in  the  Lancaster  county  fashion,  (which 
at  that  time  was  peculiar  in  Jersey.^  unloading  stores 
for  the  troops,  come  or  cominff.  The  owner  seeing 
me,  crrnsped  mv  hand  with  fervor,  and  told  me  every 
one  believed  me  to  be  dead.  Telling  him  our  story 
in  a  compendious  manner,  the  good  old  man,  with- 
out solicitation,  presented  me  two  silver  dollars,  to  be 
repaid  at  Lancaster.  They  were  gladly  received. 
My  heart  became  easy.  The  next  day,  in  company 
with  the  late  Colonel  Febiirer,  and  the  present  Gen- 
eral Nichols,  and  some  other  gentlemen,  we  procured 
a  liffht  return  wagon,  which  gave  us  a  cast  as  far  as 
Princeton.  Here  we  had  the  pleasure  of  conversing 
with  Dr.  Witherspnon,  who  was  the  first  that  inform- 
ed IIP  of  tha  resolatkm  of  Congress  to  augment  the 
trm?.  ft  ireve  ns  pleasure,  as  we  had  devoted  our- 
«lv«  iadividuiUar  to  Uw  mnkit  of  our  oouotry.-*^ 


■'■  M 


ii  J 


h 


CABtPAIGN 


The  next  day,  if  not  incoFreet,  we  proceed^  on  feot, 
no  carriage -of  any  kind  being  prpeurabie.  Niglit 
brought  us  up  at  a  farm  house,  soniewhere  near  Bris- 
tol. The  owner  was  one  of  u^,  that  is,  a  genuine 
whig.  He  requested  us  to  tarry  all  nighty  which  we 
declined.  He  presented  us  a  supper  that  was  gvate- 
fully  received.  Hearing  our  story,  he  was  roueh  af- 
fected. We  then  tried  to  prevail  un  hirato  take  us 
to  Philadelphia  in  his  light  wagon.  It  was  ol)jected 
that  it  stood  loaded  with  hay  on  the  barn  floor ;  bis 
sons  were  asleep  or  abroad.  We  removed  these  ob- 
jections by  unloading  the  hay,  while  thp^  good  eiti- 
sen  prepared  the  horses.  Mounting,  wt^  arrived  at 
the  **  Harp  and  Crown,"  about  two  o'clock  in  the 
morning.  To  us,  it  was  most  agreeablej  that  we 
passed  Sirough  the  streets  of  Phila£lphiain  the  night 
time,  as  our  clothing  was  not  only  thread-bare  but 
^abby.  Here  we  had  friends  and  fundsi.  A  gen- 
tleman advanced  me  a  sum  sufficient  to  enable  me 
to  exchange  my  leggins  and  mockasins  hr  a  pak  of 
■Cockinge  and  shoes,  and  to  bear  my  expenses  home* 
A  ^y  and  a  half  brought  me  t&the  arms  of  my  b»- 
kyved  parents. 

At  Philadelpbtv  I  waited  upon  a  cousin  of  my 
mother,  Mr.  Owen  Bkldbj  then  a  member  of  tba 
*<  Council  of  Safety,"  who  informed  me  that  while  in 
captivity  he  had  procured  me  a  Lieutenancy.  My 
heart  was  otherwise  engaged.  Morgan,  tlie  hera^ 
had  promised  and  obtaiiMd  for  me,  a  Captaincy  in 
tbeThginia  line^  Pollowiag  the  fortunes  of  that 
held  and  judicious  commander,  my  nam^might  bava 
besn  emblaaened  in  the  roQs  of  patnolk  fome*  But 
alas  t  in  the  course  of  eichl  weeks  after  my  remrn 
from  capdvtty,  a  sUghl  oSd,  cauglil  whilaskiAiBg  oa' 
the  hsa  of  Susquehwina^  or  ia  puBMiBf^  thji  wild  tuf> 
koy  untag  the  KiMMkMiy  kiUik  py|  tBctaAtoiilinir 


AGAINST  QUEBEC. 


205 


visionary  schemes  of  ambition.  This  cause  renew- 
ed that  abominable  disorder,  the  scurvy,  (which  I  had 
supposed  was  expelled  from  my  system,)  accompani- 
ed by  every  morbid  symptom  that  had  been  so  often 
observed  at  Cluebec,  attendant  upon  others.  The 
medical  men  of  all  classes  being  engaged  in  the  ar- 
my, that  species  of  assistance  was  unattainable  in 
the  degree  requisite  ;  lameness,  as  you  now  observe 
it,  was  the  consequence.  Would  to  God  my  extreme 
suflferings  had  then  ended  a  life  which  since  has  been 
a  tissue  of  labor,  pain,  and  misery  ! 


1« 


fiqnr.' 


I 


t  _  r 

■■       '  ■  -ill 


,ti 


>l 


r- 


iV'J    7(1    fe?) 

1.1     ■ 

I*'  '7; 


r- 


-rium  I 


'>lUk|50:;fl 


Ji  1; 


SKETCH  OP  THE  LIFE  OF  ARNOLD. 

b^\UiU^.f}-i  hay.    .;..:*.,■•/ 


liiji 


BiBNEDfcl"  Arnold  was  born  at  Norwich,  Conn. 
Oil  the  3d  of  January,  1740.  Wliile  yet  a  iad  he 
was  apprenticed  to  two  geiilietueu  by  tlie  name  of 
Lftthfop,  who  were  partners  a$  druggtoU  in  a  large 
establisnment  at  Norwich,  and  alike  distiiiguitf bed  m 
their  probify^  worth,  and  the  wide  extent  oi  their  bu- 
nniMs.  Being  allied'  by  a  distant  rdatiuneblp  lo  the 
mother  of  the  young  apprentice,  they  UAi&  personal 
intei^t  in 'his:  welfare.  •  -- i  i'.;|j/i .  ■..  ,  ^'uw;^.  ^  . ; 
!  It  was^ooh  made  obviouij^to  these  g^pntlemea  that 
they  had  neither  an  agreeable  nor  an  easy  task  be- 
fore them.  To  an  innate  lo\^e  of  niischiel,  young 
Arnold  added  ah  obduracy  of  conscience,  a  cruelty  of 
disposition,  an  irritability  of  temper,  and  a  reckless 
tAdiffereinde  to  the  good  or  ill  :opinion  of  others,  that 
left  but  a  slender  foundation  upon  which  to  erect  a 
system  of  correct  principles  or  habiis. 

Weary  of  the  monotonous  duty  of  the  shop,  and 
smitten  with  the  attractions  of  a  military  lile^  he  en- 
listed as  a  King's  soldier,  without  the  knowledge  of 
his  friends,  when  he  was  sixteen  years  old,  and  went 
off  with  other  recruits  to  Hartford.  This  caused  such 
deep  dkti^  to  his  mother,  that  the  Bev  Dr.  Lord, 
pastbr  of  the  church  to  which  she  belonged,  and  some 
other  persons,  took  a  lively  interest  in  the  matter,  and 
Buceemd  in  getting  him  released  and  brought  back. 


208 


SKETCH  OF  THE 


It  ^ 


Not  long  afterwards  he  ran  away,  enlisted  a  second 
time,  and  was  stationed  at  Ticonderoga  and  diffierent 
places  on  the  frontiers ;  but  l3eing  employed  in  garri- 
son  duly,  and  subject  to  more  restraint  and  discipline 
than  were  suited  to  his  restless  spirit  and  unyielding 
obstinacy,  and  seeing  no  prospect  of  an  opportunity 
for  gratifying  his  Ambition  and  l6ve  of  bbid  adven- 
ture, he  deserted,  lelurned  to  Norwich,  and  resumed 
his  former  employment.  When  a  British  officer  pass- 
ed through  the  town  in  pursuit  of  deserters,  fearing  a 
discovery,  his  friends Moreted  him  in  a'cellar  till  ni^t, 
aird  theh  deiit  him  several  miles  into  the  country^ 
where  he  remained  concealed  till  the  ofl^er  was fone^ 

After  he  httd  setved  om  his  appremicedtupt  Artiold 
left  Norwich  and  cbmibeaced  buiNrtess  as  a  druggist 
in  New  Ha  veh.  At  length  Em.  took  up  the  profession 
of  a  navigator,  shipped  horses,  cattlej  and  provisions 
to  the  W^t  Indies^  afid  commanded  his  Own  yesbelsi 
His  s|)eculations  ended  in  bankruptcy,  atid  under «irr 
eumslaneeiei,  Which,  in  the  opinioti  oif  the  world,  left 
a  stain  upon  his  honesty  and  good  faith.  He  resu- 
med his  business,  and  applied  himself  lo  it  with  his 
accustomed  vigor  and  resource,  and  with  the  Sfime 
obliquity  of  moral  purpose,  hazard,  and  disregard  of 
public  seniimenti  tnat  had  always  itiarked  his  cob- 
dutt.    '         ■  •  ■■     ji  iv  iUi'U,;gi  v:ji'-.t  '.i!  .:; 

He  was  early  married  at  N^  Haven  to  a  lady  by 
the  name  of  Mansfield.  She  died  at  New  Haven  a- 
boutthelinte  the  war  began. 

There  were  in  Connecticut  two  companies  of  mil- 
itia called  the  Giovernor's  Guards,  and  organized  in 
conformity  to  an  act  of  the  legislature.  Qne  qf  these 
companies  bebnged  to  New  Haven,  and  in  March, 
1776,  Arnold  was  chosen  to  be  its  commander*  This 
company  consisted  of  fiftjf-eight  men.  When  the 
news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  reached  New  Ha- 


a  second 
i  different 
d  in  garri- 
discipline 
inyielding 
pportuuity 
M  aHven- 
i  resumed 
fficer  pass- 
,  fearing  a 
r  till  ni^t, 
i  countnyi 
wasgone^ 
iipt  ArtH>ld 
a  drtlggist 
professiott 
provisionis 
vn  vesisels^ 
under  «ir- 
work!,  left 

He  resu* 

(with  his 

the  same 

sregard  oC 

1  his  COB- 

a  lady  by 
Haven  a- 

lies  of  mil- 
faoized  m 
ne  of  these 
in  March, 
der<  This 
When  the 
New  Hd- 


LIFE  OP  ARNOLD. 


ix» 


vety  the  bells  were  rung,  and  great  excitement  pre- 
i^ailed  among  the  people.  Moved  by  a  conmton  im- 
pulse, ihey  assembled  on  the  green  in  the  centre  of 
the  town,  where  ihe  Captain  of  the  Guards  tiiok  oc- 
casion to  haiangue  the  iiiultiiude,  and  after  address- 
ing himself  to  their  patriutic  feeiingH,  and  roue>iiig 
their  martial  spirit  by  suitable  appeals  aud  represen- 
tations, he  propo^ed  to  head  any  funnber  of  volun- 
teers that  would  join  him,  and  luarch  with  ihem  im- 
mediately to  the  scene  of  action.  He  ended  his  ad- 
dress by  appointing  a  time  and  place  for  all  such  to 
meet,  and  form  themselves  into  a  company.  ti 

When  the  hour  arrived,  sixty  volunteers  appeared 
bn  the  ground,  belonging  niOHtly  to  the  Guards,  with 
a  few  students  from  the  L;ollege.  No  time  was  lost 
in  preparing  for  their  departure,  and  on  the  morning 
of  the  next  day  they  were  ready  to  march.  Being 
provided  with  anmiunition,  and  participating  the  ar- 
dor of  their  leader,  the  company  hastened  forward 
by  a  rapid  march  to  Cambridge,  the  head  quarters  of 
the  troops,  who  were  coilectmg  irom  variuus  parts  to 
resist  any  further  aggressions  from  the  British  army 
in  Boston.  *       ..      -  . 

On  the  3d  of  May  the  Massachusetts  Committee 
of  Safety  commissioned  Benedict  Arnold  as  a  Colon- 
el in  the  service  of  Massachusetts,  and  commander- 
in-chief  of  a  body  of  troops  not  to  exceed  lour  hun- 
dred, with  whom  he  was  to  proceed  on  an  expedition 
to  subdue  and  take  Fort  Ticondeioga. 

The  temperament  of  Colonel  Arnold  admitted  no 
d^lay  after  matters  had  been  thus  arranged,  and  he 
made  all  haste  to  the  theatre  of  operaiiuns.  He  ar^ 
rived  at  Stockbridge,  on  theftiontierol  Massachusetts, 
within  three  days  of  the  time  of  receiving  hie  com^ 
mission.  He  there  found  himself  anticipated  by  the 
expedition  set  on  foot  under  the  command  of  Ethan 

18« 


110 


SKETCH  OF  THE 


Allen.  A  compromise  in  the  command  was  e0e(  ted, 
by  which  Arnold  acted  in  the  capacity  of  a  volpn- 
teer.  The  party  advanced  to  Ticonderoga,  took  |he 
fort  hy  surprise  on  the  moining  of  the  IQth  of  May, 
and  made  the  whole  garrison  prisoners.  Ethan  Air 
len,  a^  the  commander,  entered  the  fort  at  (he  Itead 
of  his  men.  Arnold,  ever  foremost  in  scenes  of  danr 
ger  and  feats  of  courage,  assumed  the  privilege  of 
passing  through  the  gate  at  his  left  hand.  Thus  the 
love  of  glory,  common  to  them  l)otb,  was  gratified  ; 
and  the  pride  of  Arnold  was  soothed,  after  the  tvound 
it  had  received  by  the  disappointment  of  his  ambi- 
tious hopes. 

Pour  days  after  the  capture  of  the  fortress,  about 
60  men,  who  had  been  enlisted  in  compliance  with  the 
orders  given  by  Arnold  on  the  road,  joined  him  with 
two  Captains  at  Ticonderoga.  These  were  properly 
under  his  conmiand.  They  came  by  the  way  of 
Skenesborough,  and  brought  forward  the  schooner  ta- 
ken at  that  place,  which  belonged  to  Major  Skene. 
He  manned  this  vessel,  proceeded  immediately  down 
the  Lake  to  St.  John's,  where  he  surprised  the  garri- 
son, taking  a  sergeant  and  twelve  men  prisoners, 
and  captured  a  King's  sloop  with  seven  men.  After 
destroying  five  batteaux,  seizing  four  others,  and  put- 
ting on  board  some  of  the  valuable  stores  from  (he 
fort,  he  returned  to  Ticonderoga.  Colonel  Allen 
went  upon  the  same  expedition  with  one  hundred  and 
fifty  nten  in  batteaux  from  Crown  Point,  but,  as  the 
batteaux  moved  with  less  speed  than  the  schooner, 
he  met  Arnold  returning  about  fifteen  miles  from  St. 
John's. 

After  some  other  minor  transactions  on  the  fron- 
tiers, Afnold  made  haste  back  to  Cambridge,  where 
be  arrived  early  in  July. 

Arnokl  was  now  uoemployedi  bvit.  a  projea  wag 


LIFE  OF  ARNOLD. 


B  eflTet  ted, 

a  volpiv- 

,  took  (he 

I  of  May, 

3th»n  Air 

tl)e  liea4 

les  of  danr 

rivilege  of 

Thu»  the 

gratified ; 

he  wound 

his  amhi- 

ess,  ahout 
;e  with  the 

him  with 
e  properly 
le  way  of 
ihooner  ta- 
jor  Skene. 
Ltely  down 

the  garri- 

prisoners, 
en.  After 
8,  and  put- 

from  the 
onel  Allen 
mdred  and 
Hit,  as  the 
)  schooner, 
B8  from  St. 

the  fron- 
Ige,  where 

voject  wai 


fonn  80t  on  foot  suit^  to  bis  genius  ftl^  oapacity^*^ 
General  Wasliington  had  taken  oommandl  c^  the«rt 
my  <tt  O^mlHidge.  Th^  ContiDental  ( >onff e^f  had 
ieBo(?ed  thai  an  incursion  iqto  danada  Bbpuld  i^ 
maide  ky  the  troops  under  General  Sohuyjfir.  fTp  i>r 
oilitate  this  object^  a  plan  wasde.tised  ahputlKi  mid-*' 
die  of  Aagust,  by  the  OomniandeMn-Ghief  aiid  sev- 
eral members  of  Congress  then  qd  a  visit  lothe;  nrr 
my  during  an  adjournment  pf,  that  body,  to  aeod  an 
expedition  to  duebec  through  the  eastern  wilderness, 
by  the  way  of  the  Kennebec  river,  which  should  e- 
ventiially  co-operate  with  the  other  party,  or  cause  a 
diversion  of  the  enemy,  that  would  be  fovorable  to 
its  movements.  Arnold  was  selected  to  be  the  con- 
ductor of  this  expedition,  and  he  received  from  Wash- 
ington a  commission  of  Colonel  in  the  Continental 
service.  The  enterprise  was  bold  and  perilous,  en- 
compassed with  untried  difficulties,  and  not  less  haz- 
ardous in  its  execution,  than  uncertain  as  to  its  re- 
sults. These  features,  repelling  as  they  were  in 
themselves,  appeared  attractive  in  the  eyes  of  a  man 
whose  aliment  was  glory,  and  whose  spirit  was  san- 
guine^ restless,  and  daring.  About  eleven  hundred 
effective  men  were  detached  and  put  under  his  com- 
mand, being  ten  companies  of  musketmen  from 
New  England,  and  three  companies  of  riflemen 
from  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania.  The  field  officert. 
in  addition  to  the  chief,  were  Lieutenant-Colonei 
Chrit^topher  Greene,  afterwards  the  hero  of  Red 
Bank,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Roger  Enos,  and  Majors 
Bigelow  and  Meigs.  At  the  head  of  the  riflemen 
was  Captain  Daniel  Morgan,  renowned  in  the  sub- 
sequent annab  of  the  war. 

These  troops  marched  from  Cambridge  to  Newba- 
ryport,  where  they  embarked  oa  board  oleveo  tnna* 


:U- 


f  $- 


portt/J'S^ewill^r  18tt^  iild  Bailed  the  tiejct  day  for 

''iill^r  >Ii6hry\4  iEl(3cdUht  of  tN'Ifxpedltlon  tbtbus^  th^ 
^Id^l^h^  covers,  In  k  de^ri^e^  i  he  histol'y  bf  ArtioM, 
t^i(fUhi8  4«tiUiti.  1?be  iBub^quem  evehts  of  his  life, 
d0itUbylh^'««b^  huth  space,  >  even  v^ith  abtirl^enient, 
f&i^^Wto'VolliiiSe;  the  freodervlrin  find  in  "  The  Li^ 
tfHd'l^reAsdn  6f 'B<snedic'C  Arnold,  by  Jared  imparks" 
L^i^ttitier^-if^tibDv-N.  York.  .''H^^i'/i^n*  imn^h  '(m 

h'\ivm\Hui}  •til)  5it    !-,:    '[•■  .'   ; 

'Ii.»    .^Ht>h'J^|  ItHAj    \\Ujh\     ■'■■:.■    ••   :  ^,       •■     !'        .m-/ 

''^l    ft'f  O!  *;:     f'iim$»!'MH>    !.-i";     .•      -  ■• 

l:ii   til'.//   7.^,1  i    vH    t|ni:||i5.r|'t i    .>:;,'■•  .  '^        , .       .• 

rf/i!fl  r;  l'»  ^\y(j-i  i^i\\  !»>  TRB  siri>.  '  ■       .  •' 

;  <    -  f ..     .  .  ■  i  <j       . 

■'  .    !    ,'  *    ■  f  .J   1   i    •  1   '    ' 


« *  S  /n 


/■    v;'r:'! 


*teaij»'ii  ao»;>.b  i#ij,5i«i  uotii^Jt'.Uiiim  .--'.1..  ' 


N: 


day  for 
his  lifi^ 


liiAi  ym 


■  ":■■■    /ift 
.in 


r 


I       7/'i4 


■# 


